http://www.climatejusticefast.com/index.php/blog/ en paulrobertconnor@gmail.com Copyright 2011 2011-03-16T05:51:36+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/day-7-it-has-been-a-great-honour/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/day-7-it-has-been-a-great-honour/#When:10:14:58Z It has been a great honour to join the Climate Justice Fast for this week. It's been an emotional week too - I haven't laughed nor cried like this in ages. It has been a great honour to join the Climate Justice Fast for this week.It's been an emotional week too - I haven't laughed nor cried like this in ages.I start new work on Tuesday and must eat in order to get a little more energy together, but I'll join you all again on the 17th.Today the world is turning too quickly: I can hardly believe that we're half way through the COP15 already without any sign of the 'real deal'.Our leaders' fondness for political theatre makes me think that Obama and co. will likely arrive in a blaze of glory and media hype to 'save the day'.But exactly whose day will they be saving?I have not undertaken this fast for any personal benefit, but as with most things there's often something to be learned from trying something new.I have learned a little about hunger.It makes me cold, weak, slow and unable to concentrate properly.I can't sleep well and have had some bad dreams:I imagine that my family is hungry and that we are walking together through a land with no food.I accept my own suffering but when I think about my bright little ones I choke with anger and fear.How must it feel to accompany your family on a hopeless quest, knowing that you are walking with them to their deaths? Knowing that you cannot protect them?I have devoted myself to fighting climate change and climate injustice on every level and this fast has strengthened that rezolve. 2009-12-13T10:14:58+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/multi-hatted-media-mayhem/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/multi-hatted-media-mayhem/#When:21:34:49Z Excuse the tabloid style title, but today has been a strange day. First off I walked to the beach with the kids to get a couple of photos for these blogs.The sun came out, the wind stilled for a change and it was beautiful.Then I set off to get the local paper as I knew there was a piece about the fast inside, but I was surprised to find that the paper was a kind of 'Howard edition'.Climate Justice Fast was on Page 1 and 3, Cornwall Sustainability Awards on pages 4 and 38, DENIAL airport protest on page 22 and my letter about community share issues on page 36.On my way back through the village I double-took the news stand with the headline:"St. Merryn Hunger Strike Protest".Then I returned to read Paul's lovely piece about Michael, to see the incredible Anna on Democracy Now! and to an email from Dom to say that he too is on full-time fasting.On balance, along with the Tuvalu protest, it's been a pretty good day.The reason I thought it deserved a blog is because I think multi-hatted mayhem is exactly what is demanded from us.This week I got an award from the Council as manager of a community energy project but I also continue to protest against their airport expansion plan as a climate activist.Tomorrow I'll take our home-schooled kids to the local school play - It'll give me chance to face the village and discuss my latest ventures...Most of all I'm fasting.We've got to do absolutely everything that we can.Some people might say that I'm compromising myself or being co-opted but that really isn't true.What's true is that we follow CJF in an uncompromising pursuit of climate justice.Immediately! 2009-12-09T21:34:49+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/theory-and-practice/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/theory-and-practice/#When:21:34:28Z theory and practice... Since first hearing about CJF I have wanted to make some level of fasting commitment in support of this courageous action. From the outset I realised that existing commitments to my family and other environmental projects would place certain limits upon my level of participation, so I decided to fast for the duration of the COP15 rather than considering a longer spell. In the meantime I joined the UK rolling fast, immersed myself in two sustainable community projects, attended and gave workshops, took part in a couple of demo's and continued to enjoy my family's high-energy, low-carbon existence. But all the time I've been watching Paul, Anna, Michael, Sara, Diane and Chuck, awestruck. I had always considered that I was doing just about everything I could do with regard to sustainability (vegan, no car etc.) but these guys were showing an altogether different level of commitment. I've been working ridiculously hard to ensure that I would have space to join the fast and have been very excited as this has approached... ...so, here we are; COP15, I'm fasting and it's not all that exciting after all. I'm feeling weird and light-headed and can't seem to concentrate on the conference. I'm a fairly determined chap and I'm sure I'll put in a good effort but it really makes you appreciate the levels of commitment, respect, love and energy that those six have cultivated. Massive respect to the CJF Six! Here's what I've been thinking about today:What can the COP15 achieve? We demand a miracle, but on the one hand much of the scientific commentary suggests what's on the table is still far below what is desperately needed, while on the other hand delegates talk of using this conference merely as an opportunity to develop frameworks and timetables for action... it's pretty scary stuff, I mean when are we actually going to finally get round to taking some real action on this? It's not like we haven't been warned. ... and that's just the mitigation. There are also the considerable sums required to protect the world's most vulnerable and future generations. How far will the conference really go to address injustice and repay the climate debt? Amidst all these mind bending thoughts the belief behind the fast makes more and more sense. It's going to take more than a miracle to tackle the climate crisis; it's going to take unprecedented levels of commitment, respect, love and energy.So while I deeply and humbly hope that the COP15 finds a way to initiate the redistribution of global resources in an equitable, sustainable manner, I also urge everyone on earth to make their individual commitments and take their own actions in this climate revolution and to do so swiftly. -- See http://www.climatejusticefast.com/index.php/pages/support-us for more information. 2009-12-07T21:34:28+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/respect-to-all-the-cjf-support-fasters/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/respect-to-all-the-cjf-support-fasters/#When:21:30:46Z Here's a quick UK update and 'big up' to all the CJF support fasters!The UK rolling fast continues to grow with John and Klaudia now on board. I'm just coming to the end of my 2nd weekly fast day and I thought I'd send a message of respect to all the other CJF support fasters. The long term fasters astound me with their courage and belief but the support fasters also have a crucial part to play. Directing attention to the hunger strikes and widening the scope of CJF are two obvious and significant roles. However it is the simple act of people quietly going without food for the day that is so important for it expresses something of the belief, commitment and sacrifice necessary from all people if we are to address issues of climate and justice. CJF is truly a show of strength.      2009-11-18T21:30:46+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/uk-cjf-rolling-fast-is-rolling-and-growing/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/uk-cjf-rolling-fast-is-rolling-and-growing/#When:10:43:08Z I feel rather daunted that the words I am writing will sit alongside those of the long-term fasters, for this is the most remarkable group of people I have ever made contact with.The UK rolling fast is rolling and growing. We now have a group of 11 people: Ruth, Isobel, Jonathan, Oliver, Nigel, Ceri, Dominic, Sarah, Alastair, Ben and myself. Between us we will be holding a relay-fast until the end of the Copenhagen conference in support of CJF.I'm Howard and I feel rather daunted that the words I am writing will sit alongside those of the long-term fasters, for this is the most remarkable group of people I have ever made contact with.Three years ago I became quite ill and unable to walk without support. I had to reappraise my previously active life and focus on something, so I decided to become fully informed about climate change and its likely impacts. Thus began an incredible journey that has changed my life completely.I soon grasped the devastating long term global consequences of the climate crisis with the incredible injustice of afflicting poorer nations in the short term. The very same nations that had not contributed to the carbon profligacy of our own insane consumer culture.I decided to do all that I could to tackle this challenge.Then I was diagnosed with a spinal tumour and faced a more personal struggle, but with tremendous healthcare and support from my young family I made a near full recovery.Since then my productivity has astonished me! From letter writing and street campaigning to paper submissions and fundraising, from project management and community engagement to media work and direct action, from song writing and graphic design to newsletter edits and public speaking.Ever since the start of all this the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen has been on my horizon as the best shot we have at solving the climate crisis. As this has approached and despite the mind-bending stakes, I have become increasingly concerned that sufficient agreement looks unlikely.Then I heard about Paul and Anna and CJF.The hunger strike is a powerful tool and the fact that young people with everything to lose are prepared to wield it in the cause of climate justice has deeply impressed me.Unlike much of my environmental work to date, fasting is not particularly fun and the consequences are obvious.The long term fasters are throwing all they've got at this one and I am honoured to fast in support of them.I'm currently taking one day a week and will attempt to fast for the 12 day duration of the COP 15 alongside Dom, an Oxford graduate.I shall upload details from other members of the UK rolling fast. Love and Respect 2009-11-13T10:43:08+00:00