Poisoned Waters, like the bay it’s about, is far more expansive and contains much more depth than you see on the surface. Although the Chesapeake Bay and the Puget Sound look beautiful in the sunrise and sunset, they really are sick. These bodies of water stand as metaphors for every body of water in the United States and around the world, where first appearances are deceiving. Our current processes are not sustainable or healthy for our water environment — as you’ll see if you watch this program. A quote from it references the environmentalists of the 1970s, who said, “Down with the polluters!” and actively went about attacking what they thought was the root of the problem. It’s not the 70s anymore; today, we need to realize that everyone is part of the problem and that everyone has the potential to be part of the solution. We have to stop scrambling to put the blame on someone else and see that each of us can do something to change the way things have always been done. We need to stop being afraid of big responsibility and chunk it into digestible portions. There’s something empowering about knowing that you can make change. I’m of the belief that everything we do boils down to fear or love; inaction, of course, is driven by a fear of change and the unknown. But there’s so much promise in the future that instead of being afraid, we should funnel the love we have for the little things—like less traffic, more green space, sparkling-clean waters—into action. To learn more, go to the Poisoned Waters website. Watch the program online, join the discussion, find out more about the obstacles we’re facing, and find out how you can help. Enjoy!
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