We don’t need any more Dead Seas!
I’ve always loved the sea. Growing up by the sea in Folkestone probably has something to do with it. Building sandcastles, paddling, playing on floats and lilos … and swimming in it as a child. Such happy memories.
I’ve played in the sea a lot as an adult too — sailing, water-skiing, scuba diving, paddleboarding … and more recently getting into a bit of cold-water swimming! I love looking out to the horizon. I love the nature and sea life within it.
I’m fortunate enough to have swum in many seas around the UK and much further afield, including the Red, the Med, and the Dead (Sea). The Dead Sea is fascinating and fun to go in — and yes, I’ve even read a paper and had the photo taken! It’s so hard to keep your legs down and impossible to swim properly. My wife, Kate, loved it so much a couple of years ago she didn’t want to come out (see the picture).
But we don’t need more dead — or dying — seas.
That one, even though now impacted by human activity and global warming, also happened naturally. It’s an intriguing phenomenon of nature — the way water flows in but has no outlet, the evaporation, and the salt building up over time.
Loving nature generally, and the sea in particular, I’ve been gutted for years about the quality of much of our waterways. Sickened by it — even if not literally, as sadly many people (and even my dogs) have been.
Too often I’ve noticed things floating around in the water that shouldn’t have been there, as well as a horrible smell at times. I remember occasions as a dad when I got my children out of the water after noticing things like this. As a grandad, I almost dread the thought of my grandchildren going in when they’re older. That is so sad on many levels. Tragic, really.
I’ve tried to do my bit over the years — signing petitions, going on a march, doing a bit of litter picking — but it can all feel too small when the problem seems overwhelmingly big.
I’m not a scientist or an expert on these things, but it does seem obvious that something has gone tragically wrong, and something needs to change — big time. Not tinkering … something far more fundamental.
As Jesus said (often misquoted as “money is the root of all evil” — it’s actually the love of money), it does make me wonder whether fines alone are really the answer. And making profit out of water is not the best motivation for those responsible for our rivers and seas.
I do sense that more and more of us have simply had enough. For some, the consequences of all this have really been tragic.
I’m very grateful for the people behind groups like Surfers Against Sewage, and the campaigners featured in Channel 4’s true-life drama Dirty Business, and many others besides.
I would never tell anyone which causes to get behind or which charities to support — there are so many good ones, and it comes down to personal conviction. But maybe this is something you feel you could get behind — signing a petition, supporting a campaign, turning up to a march, or whatever seems right to you. It might seem small, but the more of us who say “enough is enough,” the more chance things have of changing.
What a picture … can you imagine it?
Crystal rivers teeming with life. Beautiful, clean seas and beaches.
And for those of us who still believe in Jesus and his eventual return to put everything right — including our abuse of nature — that is no excuse to leave it all for him to sort out one day. Some theologies may suggest that. But I believe we are called to be good stewards now.
No more dead — or dying — seas.
Mike (Minister at WBCh)
