Defrosting Nature? Look, See, Pray

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?

Glacier Bay- Look, See, Pray

I wonder when those snowflakes

started to pack on the mountain.

All individual, geometric perfection,

blown by the wind into corners

and crannies and drifts.

Long, slow years sitting

with snow on your shoulders,

pressing, pressing, pressing

until a layer of ice

became the memory

of another winter gone.

Year on year, snow on snow,

ice under pressure finding

strength in numbers and depth.

So many patient winters…

Deeper ice, living blue,

layered with grit

from rocks carved out

with glacial stealth…

Now at the sea, salt and cold,

where glaciers calve

plunging deep,

spray hurled high.

A swift transition.

Years invested in icy weight,

foreshortened to weeks

as the ice shrinks

diluting the salt sea

with ancient snowmelt.

All nature moves to an end.

Spectacle of wondrous cold.

Spectre of an Ice Age foiled.

Mighty, majestic, doomed.

Only God could have dreamed this:

River of ancient ice,

sculptor of peak and vale,

inspiring awe in mere Humanity-

that yet plays “god”

and melts history

in a senseless rush.

(c) Richard Starling, 2023.

Photo: Glacier Bay, 2016.

Blue Ice, Red Canoe

Courage- knowing the risks, and taking action anyway.

Visiting Glacier Bay is breath-taking. Huge rivers of frozen time slide majestically to the sea and the ice displays the strata where debris has been compacted year after year. Noise from the constant stressing and shattering of the ice reverberates in the still air. Regular “calving” of icebergs from tiny to house-sized attract the wonder of onlookers.

Some get closer than others.

This bold adventurer in a bold scarlet kayak glided through freezing ice-mush and milky water, getting an incredible view- and taking a considered risk. Too close, too bold, and tons of ice could crush the fragile craft.

As the ice rears above, the fissures reveal the deep clear blues of highly pressured, frozen snow that fell perhaps 200 years ago.

The canoeist experienced Glacier Bay in a far deeper way, and was certainly less warm and far less comfortable! I envy that experience.

I like to think that, if given the opportunity, I’d ship out on a kayak and experience this myself.

There’s a little joke about this… A canoeist wanted to go kayaking in Glacier Bay: but decided the chill factor was too extreme for comfort. So he installed a paraffin heater to keep the kayak warmer. Sadly, the paraffin leaked and the kayak caught fire… which goes to prove that you can’t have your kayak and heat it.

I really should apologise for that! Christianity is sometimes accused of being dull, humourless, and a soft option for people without the guts to face up to life. I disagree. To follow Christ takes courage. Believers can be criticised, ignored, laughed at, or even attacked. Living the way of Christ requires self-sacrifice, obedience, humility and a radically different set of values and purpose. We should stand out from the crowd.

Jesus sends us into a world that is beautiful and damaged, wonderful and terrifying. “Go into all the world… tell them…” Follow the Way of the Cross… love your neighbour, your enemy, even yourself. It is a challenge worthy of our best response and determination.

Jesus also said we would not be alone on the journey… He will be with us. Up for it? It will take courage, even with such a Friend. Courage is knowing the risks, and taking action anyway. Go on, be bold today!