Magnificent. Glacier Bay in Alaska- a very special place, and stunningly beautiful in any weather (except thick fog or a blizzard!).
But the ice is retreating: from the earliest records in 1750, the glacier has melted back 65 miles. The ice mass that filled the bay has retreated into the tributary valleys. Glaciers are always moving, and where the “snout” reaches open water, icebergs will calve off and drift into the seaways. All the while the mountains at the ice of the glacier receive enough snowfall, the glacier will maintain ice pressure sufficient to keep its momentum.
From what we know, the “Little Ice Age” was a temporary return of the ice sheets that had originally stretched deep into the Midwest of North America. There is evidence that the ice has grown and retreated several times in history. Science shows that global warming is now hastening the retreat of the ice. Defrosting Nature has knock-on effects and some of the changes are accelerating.
95% of Alaska’s 100,000 glaciers are currently thinning, stagnating, or retreating, and more importantly, the rate of thinning is increasing. Glacier Bay’s glaciers follow this trend. (National Park stats)
Does that have significance for us? Despite the attitude of some Christian groups- who think ecology is a waste of time because the world will be destroyed/re-created at the Second Coming of Christ- I believe we have a unique responsibility. No other creature on this planet has the science, technology, and applied intelligence to force huge changes onto the environment.
We strip the rainforests, delve deep for fossil fuels, wage massive wars, and poison the waters with our discharges and waste plastics. All these things combine to effectively defrost Nature. More frequent destructive storms are a warning to us all.
Some dispute this narrative- I understand that. What concerns me is that the loudest demurrals are coming from vested interests and weak politicians… whose economies and balance sheets would change. Follow the money to discover WHY certain voices nay-say taking climate action.
Why am I writing about this? Don’t I have more “spiritual” topics?
There is a wonderful story at the beginning of the Bible: it tells us WHY we exist and why the world was created. The Book of Beginnings, Genesis. It is a theological story written for a non-scientific people: and it contains some clear instructions. One is that humankind is responsible for “stewarding” our world: we are caretakers and creative beings. That is our purpose, alongside God. (Genesis 1:24-30)
Nowhere in the Bible is that purpose revoked.
Therefore we still have responsibility- and accountability- for our treatment of the world and everything that lives upon it.
What can we do? Well, what single action can you take regularly that will make a difference? Recycling… political activism… looking after your home/garden… reduce use of fossil fuels… choose means of transport thoughtfully… aid for the poor… Water Aid… reduce one-use plastics… clear litter… dispose of toxic materials correctly… oppose policies that are destructive and exploitative… Add your own ideas.
Giving a better example to the children of today is a good start. They will inherit our messes! It’s not too late to make a difference. Start with one good choice. Learn to make well-informed decisions. And if we make this part of our prayer life, we just might get some hints from the One who knows best!
What one change will we choose?
