The 75-year-old man who went on hunger strike for climate change ended his 38-day fast on Christmas afternoon before going to hospital to start a strict recuperation program.

Dave McKay had sat on the steps of Victorian Parliament since November 19, refusing to consume anything aside from water and supplements until 12 MPs announced their stance on whether climate change had reached emergency level.

Retired English teacher Dave McKay, 75, sat in front of Victorian Parliament for 38 days while sleeping in a campervan at night. Credit:Michael Fowler

Just nine MPs did so before Christmas, including four Greens MPs, Reason Party leader Fiona Patten and Sustainable Australia's Clifford Hayes.

Nationals Party MP Danny O'Brien, who represents Mr McKay's local electorate in Gippsland, was the only major party politician to state his position.