Water
is one of the most important things, that we find we take for granted. Most of
the planet isn’t even potable water, and the fact that we constantly pollute
not only this water, but the water we can drink, is shocking and astounding.
The disparities that water offers us, and how clean water can become a scarcity
no matter what type of social climate one lives in can be nerve wracking
(Robertson 2017).
Waterkeeper
alliance is an environmental organization that was found in 1999 by Robert
F. Kennedy, Jr. The idea was based on the fisherman patron at Hudson
river in 1966, when they fought for their rights and demanded that companies
stopped disposing they chemical residues on the river. In order to reinforce
that, they decided to have someone "out there" always patrolling the
river. By 1999 the alliance was officially formed and there were already about
34 groups in USA and one in Canada. Today, Waterkeeper alliance has gladly
spread throughout the world with more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and
Affiliates that are on the front lines of the global water crisis, patrolling
and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal
waterways on six continents. Speaking with Mark Yaggi, and all he knew about
the Waterkeeper Alliance and how water is crucial for life, really opened my
eyes. This shows that advocating for the planet can be, and should be,
everyone’s job, no matter if you’re one person or a large corporation. That’s
why it’s important for everyone to be concerned about the water scarcity, along
with containment in the water, because anyone can advocate for the water, and
it is used every single day by every person.
The
number of contaminants in the water, I learned, was far more than my
expectations. When Mark had said that by 2050 there would be more plastic in
the ocean than fish, I was appalled. He furthered with saying that only 10% of
plastic is recycled, while 14% is incinerated, 40% goes to landfills, and the
other 36% goes into the ocean. Clearly, we are doing something wrong currently,
that this much plastic is allowed to go into the ocean, which last year was about
8 tons! Waterkeeper alliance is also working with private fashion companies,
such as Ralph Lauren and Levi's, in order to come up with sustainable
initiatives. Because those companies want to have something that
contribute to a cause, and they are willing to put aside a % of money in pro of
investing on sustainable alternatives. Waterkeeper alliance helps business by
partnership with Bionic (organization which transforms recovered plastic into
durable materials) to make their products of plastic that was took of the
ocean, such as t-shirts and shoes. Their goal it is to make something that
will last 5-15 years and re-use the plastic that is already in the world.
This is super important for the future,
especially since fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world. By
being able to combat one form of pollution, and innovate in a way that uses
less water, the fashion industry can really change the way we view the world.
The planet should be something we should cherish, and since it’s 70% water, the
water we see should be cherished as well.
Credits to Jacqueline Senecal for the top picture, and Waterkeeper Alliance for the logo picture.
Great and passionate post Jacqueline and Guiliana! You are right- it is appalling that we are on track to have more plastic than fish in the oceans by the year 2050. As you say, clearly we are doing something wrong! And I agree with your last line that if we cherish the earth- we must cherish the water- as it is 70% of the earth! I am as excited as you both by Waterkeeper's Alliance's collaboration with Bionic! Well done!
ReplyDelete