Faith groups to fast for environment

Two organsiations are taking a novel approach to encouraging deeper action towards caring for the environment - by asking people to fast.

The inter-faith St Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation and Peace and the London Islamic Network for the Environment (LINE) launched their Fast for the Planet website today, which sets out the details of their message.

They draw attention to the way that fasting from food has been used by key figures in human history to facilitate large-scale social change.

The organisers believe the voluntary fasting will nurture the collective ability of participants to let go of patterns that are not only not essential to our survival, but in fact are rapidly destroying the planet.

Using this approach, the organisers believe that people can better strengthen their intention to move away from consumerism and other unhealthy patterns, and instead move towards life-styles and community relationships, that are nurturing to people as well as to the earth.

In the build-up to the day of fasting on Sunday 19 October, their website invites people to take part in a choice of actions, including mending any damaged clothing they may have, purchasing only if they really need something, and letting go of using a credit card. The main event will end with the sharing of food and personal experiences, and people who are unable to attend are invited to fast at home or organise an event of their own.

Helen Gilbert, co-organiser of Fast for the Planet, and events coordinator at St Ethelburgas said: "We are pleased to be hosting this event at St Ethelburga's because it challenges us at a deep level to consider what reconciliation means in the context of humanity's troubled relationship with the earth.

"As a practice that has deep roots in many spiritual and faith traditions, fasting is a powerful and unifying resource we can draw on in challenging, both the personal and societal, status quo."

Muzammal Hussain, initiator of Fast for the Planet, and Chair of LINE said: "There is no doubt that we need a radical approach like this, because although intellectually most of us know what needs to be done, old patterns of living continue to dominate, and green-house gas emissions continue to rise.

"Now, here's a way to really get our bodies and hearts directly involved in a process that will help break us out of outdated destructive patterns and lead to a better world."