A crash course in changing the world.
One thousand years ago, King Canute of England, also known as Canute the Great, went down to the sea and tried to hold back the tide.
Naturally, he failed, but the reason for trying was to demonstrate to his courtiers that the power of nature was far more than the power of any king.
Canute established his government on the site that today is known as Westminster, and it's still occupied by the people who run the country. On World Water Day 2020, government leaders the world over are encouraged to join celebrities, campaigners, and the general public in symbolically failing to hold back the tide at beaches the world over.
The purpose is to remind everyone out there in TV-land, and the lobbyists who have taken the place of courtiers, of our relationship with the ocean - one of utter dependence! Leaders will be asked to a) get their feet wet with a smile, and b) speak about respect for nature and appreciation for all that we receive from the natural world.
Everyone in the world will be encouraged to gather at beaches, lakes and rivers and also get their feet wet and give thanks. Muslims will be encouraged to wash their feet and hands and pray. Christians will be reminded of the ritual of baptism, and encouraged to make a fresh start in their relationship with the natural world.
Water is the source of life, the beginning of everything. By reminding people of this, I hope we can change the way people see their relationship with water and nature. (The photo is me, by the way.)
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