CHRISTIANS concerned about climate change are being asked to
fast and pray on the first day of every month for a year, as
momentum builds towards a new international climate-change
agreement to be signed in December 2015.
The initiative follows the fast of Yeb Sano, the head of the
Philippines' delegation at the UN's climate talks last year, in the
wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in his country (News, 29 November
2013). He fasted throughout the talks, and has continued to
fast on the first of every month since, until progress is made to
"stop the madness" of climate change.
A service to mark the first fast was held this week at St
John's, Waterloo, in London, by the charity Operation Noah,
supported by other Christian charities.
The Vicar of St John's, Canon Giles Goddard, who is on the board
of Operation Noah, said that "the need for change is urgent, and
everyone can help bring it about. This is an initiative about hope.
Praying and fasting for the climate will inspire action, and
encourage people to think about what needs to happen. We are
calling for justice for all those impacted by climate change now
and in the future, and for an ambitious outcome at next year's
climate talks in Paris."