Biography (link to Tim’s University of Exeter webpage)

Dr Tim Gordon is a marine biologist, studying the impacts of climate change on marine life. Based at the University of Exeter, his work has taken him from the Central Arctic Ocean to the Great Barrier Reef. His current research focus is on the restoration of tropical coral reefs – arguably the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Despite having recorded some of the most severe environmental destruction in human history, Tim still believes strongly that we can find ways to protect and restore marine ecosystems and all that they provide for people worldwide. He was recently named the Society of Experimental Biology’s ‘Young Scientist of the Year’.

Tim discusses his work regularly on television, radio and podcasts, and with live audiences ranging from primary school children to prime ministers. He has spoken in churches and theological colleges around the UK about how environmental science can support, inspire and inform Christian faith. In 2019 he won FameLab International, a global competition looking to find and support the world’s most promising young science communicators. In 2020, he wrote the chapter “Grief in a silent sea” in Hannah Malcolm’s recent book “Words for a Dying World”.

Abstract

Every time we check the news, it appears that our impact on the environment is becoming more damaging and less reversible. Forests burn, oceans rise, species go extinct and people and nature suffer alike. Lament is an important Christian response to the state of the world around us today – but lament is not the same as despair.

In this webinar, Tim will share experiences from his own research where it seemed that hope was lost – he has recorded unprecedented levels of environmental damage in ocean ecosystems from the Arctic to the Great Barrier Reef. He will discuss how faith-based responses to events like this need not end in despair. Bringing together ideas from the Bible, contemporary theology and environmental science, Tim will explore how Christianity can link us to the natural world, guide our responses to environmental destruction, and provide hope for the future of the planet.

Video

The video time bar is divided into sections to allow you to find particular parts of the recordings - or use the timings in the list below.

Andrew’s Hymn

In response to Tim’s talk Andrew wrote this hymn:

The song of the sea, once melodious is dying, 
that song is essential, the calling of home; 
Great God, we lament, yet the sound of our crying 
is quieter than breakers, the wash of the foam.

What work must we do to restore what is broken, 
how can we encourage the choir of the sea? 
The spirit is moving, the waters are wounded, 
the oceans are anguished for life to be free.

You enter our suffering and love in our grieving, 
you join us in weakness, when frailty is near, 
God hold us, enfold us when hell overcomes us, 
stand near to the tomb of our folly and fear.

You promise a covenant, both gift and promise. 
Creation is groaning, still coming to birth. 
Bring newness, renewal, a hope that is living, 
from suff’ring bring joy for the whole of the earth.

We treasure the symphony, yet we are grieving, 
we long for the chorus, the song of the sea, 
bring light in the darkness and sound in the silence, 
Great God, co-creator let all life be free.

Andrew Pratt 24/5/2021
Words © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 12.11.12.11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO

Andrew also wrote another hymn in response to Mike’s abstract which you can read on his blog-site.