
On the opening day of COP19, Yeb Saño, the chief negotiator for the Philippines, pledged to fast in solidarity with victims of Typhoon Haiyan and for a meaningful outcome to the negotiations.
The seven young people of the LWF delegation spearheaded an interfaith initiative to take up Saño's fast to underline the urgency of action for climate justice.
The call to fast rapidly gained traction. People of many different faiths joined. Messages of support came from around the world.
Concerned by the lack of progress of COP19, an interfaith group moved to launch a global, interfaith monthly day of fasting to stand together in calling on world leaders at the COP20 to do more to solve the climate crisis.
#fastfortheclimate was born.
Interfaith Representatives at COP 19 Call to Fast for Climate Justice
Warsaw, Poland | 15 November 2013
We, as delegates and representatives of various faiths and faith based organizations, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the Philippines and all over in the world have decided to embark on a fasting chain, that will last until the end of the 19th United Nations Conference of parties on November 22nd.
Fasting unites us as a common practice in our different religious traditions. Although we may be relying on different spiritual backgrounds we can all join in the common experience of voluntary fasting.
For us, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, indigenous spiritual traditions and other faith traditions, fasting has a strong spiritual meaning. It first and foremost allows to us to meet our God. In the midst of necessary technical and political discussions, we step back, pray and reflect. Through the concrete sensation of hunger we do not only declare ourselves in solidarity with suffering people, but we are actually in solidarity with them.
As we engage in COP19, it reminds us to relate the negotiations with our responsibility as a believer. We cannot live in isolation, but we must care for each other. As a principle of equity, we fast and reduce because we can for others who cannot.
The fast marks our commitment to the principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – intergenerational equity, the precautionary principle, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. We fast now because we are able to.
There are many who live in poverty and who are vulnerable who cannot have these choices. This is our message to the global leaders and COP19 – those who can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must do so for the sake of the future generations and the vulnerability of the poor.
More than ever, it is time for us to all work together to be good stewards of the Creation.
That is why:
Together:
This initiative is supported by the following delegations of organizations and faith communities:
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