Patriot Blogger

The Carbon Fast is seven to forty days of offsetting your CO2 emissions as an alternative to the traditional Christian Easter fasting done for Lent as a way to increase awareness among those of the faith, about the devastating effects of pollution upon the globe.

Proposed by two Bishops of the Church of England, Rt. Rev. James Jones and Rt. Rev Richard Chartres, most people just give up chocolate for their Easter fast, but when it comes to a sacred number like forty, great things can be achieved.

Fasting is usually done to remember the poor of the world, and remember that they have it tough, that those in control of the world, usually dont feel their plight, since they either know what needs to be done to pick themselves up, or, they have the financial power to get things done but simply keep to themselves instead of taking action to those in need.

Our agricultural practices are not sustainable, we know that, and we need to do something about it, especially for those people who go without. Monoculture is not the way Nature intended, much less agro-toxins or pesticides.

If we are to accept our role in creation, we may even go so far as to interpret our sacred texts. Moses took the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt to the Holy lands, where at that time, there was only a desert, and unto that desert, they created life.

Is that not our role? Were we not intended to cultivate, plant, and care for this planet as stewards of the land?

Fasting enlightens us, causes awareness, and when done directly to the stomach, such as the traditional Ramadan performed by Muslims, it really sets us in other peoples shoes, namely, those who constantly go without.

Go without the most important light-bulb in your house for forty days, go without using plastic bags, wash dishes by hand instead of actually doing them yourself…etc.

Tearfund.org has the whole forty day carbon fast (adobe .pdf file) all well planned out for any average American home, its not hard and it can even be fun.

You dont have to be Christian to have fun this Lent; in fact, you dont even need to do it for Lent at all.

The world, cannot currently take all the CO2 we put out, and if we are to care for the planet, we can reverse CO2 damage, start with a forty day carbon fast in your home!

Learning:
The Carbon Quiz by Wired Magazine.
Personal Emissions Calculator - U.S EPA

• Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at Georgetown University