The Giraffe

The Challenge of the Environment

I watched a television nature documentary titled Alaska’s Great Sea Lion Mystery. Biologist and diver Shane Moore investigated  the dramatic decline in Alaska’s sea lion population. He asks the question: what is killing the sea lions? It was felt that it was a result of over fishing by Pollock fisheries, although this was shown to be too simplistic an answer. Nature is an enormous, intricate web of life. In viewing this complex web we continuously ask ourselves: how are things connected? A carefully balanced eco-system has been disturbed by human beings through whaling, oil pollution, and over fishing. There is also the contested views about climate change and its far reaching effects. A decline in certain animal populations has a knock on effect on other animal species. The Herring are vital to the survival of many creatures in Alaska including eagles, whales, sea lions, sea gulls, salmon, pollock and even human beings. Moore contends that changes in fish numbers can explain sea-lion decline.

The programme showed that the fate of man and animals are inextricably linked. Can we take from the ocean without destroying it, finding a more sustainable balance?  Scientists are researching these very questions, looking at how the ocean system actually works. It is this understanding which will contribute towards an answer to this question. It helped me to think about the challenge of the environment and my part in this intricate web of life.

Is it Mad to Vote?

You have got to admire a political candidate who stands for something, even if he drives a campaign vehicle with inflatable banana’s sticking up from the roof and a slogan “going banana’s for your vote” It’s catchy and a definite vote winner! Why does my Raving Looney Party candidate feel he should stand for election? What does he have to offer? It is just about poking fun at the political machinations of our free democracy, or a subversive attempt to make us question the whole basis of our democratic system. Anyone can stand for a office with some dignity given the choice of candidates to date. I have never chuckled so much to myself reading a party political manifesto than when this party leaflet was dropped through my door. Here’s a taster

Treasury: Rich People should be taxed to pay for the printing of money, as they use most of it.

We will issue a 99 pence coin to save on change.

Education: Bright pupils will be provided with dimmer switches to prevent them distracting the rest of the class.

It has made me think about what is the point of politics? Not bothering to vote is still making a stand for the status quo, not wanting to question the current political regime, not being willing to look at the issues and to  make a commitment to the polis within which we live. The stakes are high, the consequences significant. Voting is one way that I can contribute towards making a difference in the world.

Humour is a powerful tool to challenge received wisdom and to make someone look at their particular perspective from another viewpoint. Look at the boy who cried wolf party political broadcast, which used humour to get us to see things differently.

What are the issues that will actually mean something for the future of our country? How do these effect us?

I’m not advocating any particular political party but I hope that more people will vote. I merely admire the raving Looney party for the questions they pose, but have no intention of voting for them. I will take my wife’s advice and state that my political affiliation is private, but hope to see you at the polling station. People need to read the manifesto’s, question the candidates when they turn up on our doorstep, pray and think about the issues and how this relates to Christian discipleship. As Jim Wallis states in his recent book God’s Politics, how does our politics  effect the poor, how we treat our neighbour? This is something we really have to think through if we want to be committed disciples. Don’t forget to vote on May 5 !