As I journey the coastline of my country, running the sandy shores or experiencing the rock pools, I am often between the spring-high and spring-low water marks. Here is where marine plants and animals have evolved, and continue to do so, in the most adverse conditions – twice every twenty four hours, the tide is out and twice during the same period, it is in. Here, in this inter-tidal zone, is where we as a species first explored terra firma.
Gazing out at this vast expanse of water I often see only the rippling surface with the sun dancing forever to the horizon. Other times I imagine what lies beneath her depths. What happens there, in that deep silence?
Either way, we are utterly dependent on her. She provides us with life. Through evaporation, condensation and precipitation; we drink fresh water. Something most of us take for granted. As James Lovelock so succinctly put it; “How arrogant we are. Two thirds of the planet is covered by water, yet we call her ‘Earth’. Perhaps ‘Ocean’ would have been more appropriate.”
To run ‘a smile’ around this coastline and create an awareness about children less fortunate than ourselves is laudable; giving children a gift of a smile is short-lived if they cannot drink water. We need to drive the message home, firmly and directly, that without a vibrant, living planet, we all die!
