http://www.climatejusticefast.com/index.php/blog/ en paulrobertconnor@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-07T17:03:55+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/got-fasting-yes-they-are/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/got-fasting-yes-they-are/#When:00:58:29Z GOT MILK? Nope, got fasting. At least that's what alumni of the Greenpeace Organizing term are doing in solidarity with CJF. Below are some responses from a few participants on how their day of not eating has been. "Fasting has been quite a challenge for me, as I am so accustomed to consuming delicious vegan food at my liesure. However, it has shown me that I am capable of conquering my temptations to fight for a cause that is bigger than myself, one that everyone needs to be fighting for."-Laura Lee Wilson"While each Monday fast has brought with it a sense of pride for my support of the hardcore Climate Justice Fasters, it also brought something else unexpected.  I realized that before my first Monday without food, November 9, I had never before went a full day without anything to consume other than water.  It's not really particularly difficult to do- I certainly end out gorging each Tuesday right when midnight hits, and smelling my roommates cook dinner is a small form of torture, but beyond that, it brings an unusual peace that I cannot fully explain.  I figured that my weekly contribution to the fast would be a matter of biting the bullet for the greater good of those participating in the movement for a safe climate and just distribution of resources.  Turns out I'm learning some things about myself along the way."-Connor Gibson"To date, Climate Justice Fast has been exactly what I had expected, eye opening, frustrating and liberating. The more I read of the unfortunate targets being set by countries as the final days pass to Copenhagen, the more infuriated I become. I feel as though I would do anything for to see results, obviously even going so far to fast a day and a half a week to make a point. Yet our gluttonous country (and others as well) continue to make weak proposals.  As if we need to consume more oil, as if we need big business to live a happy life.  The lesson I've learned from my entire experience with CJF is that we live in a disgusting, overly fed society. I've realized just how important it would be for each of us to just consume a little less, to refrain from buying the latest iPod every time one is released, to carpool with friends, to give up plastic water bottles... I can go on forever, really. Nevertheless, I have not lost hope, I could never lose hope.  So, I will continue on with my fasting, and look forward to future enlightenment as I refrain from consuming in many aspects of my life, not just food - which has honestly been the least of my challenges."-Courtney Stowman 2009-11-30T00:58:29+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/my-participation-in-cjf-how-justified-is-it/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/my-participation-in-cjf-how-justified-is-it/#When:01:56:57Z Below is a section from an entry of a blog I write for my university. I thought I could handle not eating for at least 24 hours, and I was right. What I can’t handle is deeply thinking about the fact that my friends who are fasting long-term are putting their lives on the line for the outcome of this conference, for a solution from the world to stop climate change. My friends could DIE for this. How does one handle such an intense situation?I have no idea. Sometimes I want to join them for the full-length, especially when I get more and more depressing news about the outlook at Copenhagen. But at the same time that defers me from the idea. Bad outlooks for Copenhagen mean unlikely success, which means no end to the fast, which means dire consequences for the participants. I care about this issue more than anything. It literally consumes my life. But apparently I won’t put my life on the line for it. What does this say about me? About my dedication? To be honest, I’m not completely sure. I feel a bit guilty, but at the same time I know I’m much more active than a lot of people in this world. Does that make it okay though? That I won’t risk dying for climate justice. Not necessarily, but I think the fact that I believe I’m more useful to this movement alive than dead sure does. Radical action is important. Hunger strikes are one of the most self-less and drastic forms of protest one can undergo. So, I fast in solidarity with CJF, and I dedicate my time to the climate movement. I’ll fight to solve this global problem with all my strength. And when the participants of CJF start to physically loose theirs, I’ll fight even harder. For them, and for the survival of all the peoples who will be affected by climate change.   To view the entire blog entry, click here: http://ahillma1.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/starving-for-climate-justice-literally/ -April Hillman GOT Alum, Washington, DC Spring 2009 2009-11-23T01:56:57+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/successful-garden-successful-copenhagen/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/successful-garden-successful-copenhagen/#When:23:20:57Z I didn’t go for a run today. I love running. It’s how I start my days. But today will be a bit different from my normal days, because I won’t be eating at all. I’m fasting in solidarity with the Climate Justice Fast. Putting on the black t-shirt that declares this, I pump myself up to face the day with a bit of discomfort. I have class from 9:35 until 16:55. Yup, it’s a long day at university, but hopefully that will be beneficial. The more I have to focus on learning (if that’s what you want to call it) the less I will focus on my hungry tummy. Math class and things are going well. Normally by now I would have had a small breakfast, but I don’t notice it much that I’ve skipped this. I head to my Plant and Soil Science lab. Four hours of playing in the dirt. It’s becoming difficult to focus, but we’re designing our own farms and what crops are best to grow in what types of soil on our small patch of land. It’s interesting, and I don’t have trouble immersing myself in the project. That is until we get to leave the classroom to do research and two girls start talking about going to the campus center for food. “I’m like sooooooo hungry. I only had a cup of noodles and an apple today. Wow, I’m soooo hungry. We need to go to the Davis Center.” –Girl #1 “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Definitely time for some food. I haven’t even really had lunch yet” –Girl #2 My stomach grumbles a bit and the thought of noodle salad makes me squirm. “FOCUS. FOCUS!” I tell myself. “You did this on Friday. You can do it again.” Thinking of fasting makes me think of the rest of the Greenpeace Organizing Term alumni who have agreed to take on a day of solidarity fasting. How would it look if the person who came up with this idea of getting all of us together to fast couldn’t even stick to her one day? Why wouldn’t I be able to stick to one day? My friends from around the world haven’t eaten since last Friday, and here I am a bit annoyed because I’ve gone 14 hours without nourishment.  I’m making a statement, individually and with the rest of the Climate Justice Fast participants. The leaders of the world’s nations don’t seem to get it. My belief is that when they see people, and people of all ages for that matter, putting their lives and health on the line for a solution to this cause, they’ll finally wake up. That’s my hope anyways. I look back down at the map I’m working on with my patch of land for my farm. “Okay, the most organic matter is here, so this is where we’ll plant most things,” I think. A key factor for a successful garden. Just like Climate Justice Fast will be a key factor in getting a successful treaty out of Copenhagen.   -April Hillman Greenpeace Organizing Term Alum, Spring 2009 Written Wednesday, November 11th, 2009. 2009-11-14T23:20:57+00:00