4 MIN READ
9-24-2024
Why We Need to Keep
Our Rivers Clean
Joshua Restauro, 4ocean Story Editor
Our relationship to rivers goes back to the earliest civilizations. Where there is water, there is the promise of life and community. It is on the banks of rivers where we started to realize our humanity. Drawn to its life-sustaining qualities, people throughout history settled along rivers to thrive on steady supply of drinking water, irrigation to grow crops, animals for fishing and hunting, and accessible means of transport for exchanging goods.
The significance of rivers to us is more than about mere survival. It taught us how to live together and helped shape the culture, art, and literature of nations all over the world. Knowing this, how could we treat our rivers the way we do now?
In the United States alone, over 50% of rivers are already too polluted for drinking, fishing, and swimming. If it’s not plastic that’s being thrown into the water, it’s the chemicals factories dump into rivers and lakes. High amounts of cyanide, mercury, lead, and cadmium from industrial plants and pesticides cause toxic algae which poison wildlife and humans.
Rivers provide two-thirds of our drinking water. If these sources become contaminated, billions of people are expected to experience water shortage.
Indonesia and Guatemala are also two of the countries that suffer from the detrimental effects of river and ocean pollution. The 8000 tons of trash that Rio Motagua (Guatemala’s longest river) transports to the coasts of Honduras and the Caribbean Sea has been causing international conflict and threatens the biodiversity of the Mesoamerican Reef.
In Bali, a combination of tourism and poor waste management policies has triggered a plastic crisis that impacts the livelihood, food sources, and wildlife in Indonesia.
In an interview with our 4ocean crew member, Agung Wawan, he echoes what most of the locals his age have been saying, “Bali used to be much cleaner and bountiful in resources.” Like some of our local crew, Agung was not fully aware of the worsening conditions of their rivers and oceans due to plastic. 4ocean’s mission introduced a sense of accountability to him and his community, and educated them on the benefits of properly disposing, sorting, and recycling waste.
Our river cleanup operations in Guatemala and Indonesia prevent millions of pounds of trash from flowing into the ocean and causing further devastation to marine ecosystems. With less waste in the ocean, there are also less threats to aquatic animals and fishes. This helps not only the environment but also the fishermen and local economy.
Agung Wawan and his family’s lives revolve around the river. Every morning, the river outside their home is one of the first sights they see. It is where he and his children take a bath and play. It is where a lot of their precious memories happened.
And if we do our part, the river has so much more good memories in store for us, too.
We are all bound by rivers in one way or another. They don’t ask for much in return except basic protection and respect — for our own good.
The Clean Ocean Movement is transforming individuals and communities with awareness, action, and passion for environmental protection. Spread the word and lead by deed to help conserve our rivers and the vast world they nourish.
