From Jill -
Recently, over 4000 people worldwide gathered in Ottawa, Canada, to work on creating the UN Global Plastic Treaty. The treaty aims to address the global plastic pollution crisis by establishing international regulations and standards for the production, use, and disposal of plastic materials.
During the negotiations, I was invited to speak to dive store stakeholders and politicians at an event organized by the PADI Aware Foundation. The PADI Aware Foundation has gathered trash and data for over a decade, encouraging cleanups that collect data to be shared with scientists and the public.
We held the meeting at the Headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, where history and nature converge in a tapestry of cultural and geographic importance. 50 Sussex Drive in Ottawa is a beacon of significance, where the Rideau Canal’s storied waters, the Gatineau River’s majestic flow, and the Ottawa River’s mighty current converge. This intersection of rivers symbolizes the confluence of cultures, traditions, and narratives that have shaped the richness of Canada’s capital.
As guardians of the land and water, we honour the indigenous nations whose wisdom is woven into every river bend of the Kichi Zibi, (the Ottawa River) including the Anishinabe Algonquin Nations of Pikwakanagan, Abitibiwinni, Timiskaming, Kebaouek, Wolf Lake, Winneway, Kitcisakik, Lac Simon, Mitcikinabik Inik, and Kitigan Zibi First Nations.
But amidst these flowing currents of the river, we also confront the spectre of artificial divisions, casting shadows upon the water. Dams, borders, and conflicting interests cloud the path forward for our river, raising uncertainty about its future.
To navigate the labyrinth of policy and change, we must heed the ancient voices of indigenous wisdom, blending their ancestral knowledge with the empirical truths of modern science. In this fusion, we’ll find the alchemy of progress, forging pathways to harmony between humanity and the river’s sacred flow.
In the depths of water-filled caves beneath the Ottawa River, I feel as though I am swimming through the veins of Mother Earth. I swim in the sustenance of our planet within a pipeline that feeds the Kichi Zibi, sending naturally filtered water downstream to the St. Lawrence River, then on to the estuary, where a nursery of fish will swim to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and beyond.
The Ottawa River is often dismissed as an industrial wasteland, yet beneath its tannic veil lies a remarkable watershed. Contrary to decline, it is undergoing a process of regeneration. Nonetheless, this poses a challenge since humanity overlooks what lies beyond its immediate sight.
But for me, I swim by ancient coral fossils eroding from the walls and ceiling – reminders of our connection to the ocean. I also witness the collaborative efforts of bivalves and fish in cleansing the watershed and everything downstream.
As hundreds of millions of mussels filter water and ingest pollutants, they serve as the guardians of the river’s health, offering an ecosystem service unmatched by human intervention. Each bivalve filters one to two litres of water per hour, ingesting nourishment and PFAS chemicals, plastics, and other undesirable materials. These remarkable animals are the livers or the kidneys of our river.
The borders, barriers, and boundaries we have constructed are truly meaningless. Water knows no bounds. Rivers flow over and beneath the land. They perfuse the land, our lives, and our future. They carry our activities and choices to places far and wide.
Our efforts to protect and preserve this vital resource require a united front of citizen scientists, science communicators, and water warriors. We must gather, collaborate, and flow like water, cleansing, unstoppable, and eternal in our pursuit of a sustainable future.
So, how can we make a difference?
Be Visible—Lead through action in our daily lives, demonstrating sustainable consumption habits with openness and shared knowledge rather than judgment.
Think Globally—Recognize the pressing global challenges and act promptly, understanding our shared accountability as inhabitants of Earth to address and resolve these issues.
Share the Wonder—Invite others to experience the marvels of the natural world. Whether through snorkelling, swimming, free diving, or scuba, let’s actively participate in its preservation and engage in stewardship activities.
Lend a Hand—Offer your time to volunteer with environmental organizations committed to making a difference. Whether you’re skilled in accounting, organizing, citizen science, law, or simply eager to contribute, your involvement can make a difference.
Pursue Knowledge—Immerse yourself in learning about pressing water-related issues like microplastics, ocean acidification, and climate change. Share your newfound knowledge to raise awareness and inspire others to take action.
Raise Your Voice—Utilize the art of science communication to engage audiences with captivating narratives and visuals. Use this platform not just for entertainment but also to convey crucial messages and ignite change.
Get to the Source—Learn about traceability in our consumption and shipping habits. We need to be literate about environmental impacts. If you knew plasticizers were in your soap or shampoo, would you pick a different product? If you knew your hamburger brought a significant carbon impact or used 2000 litres of water in production and delivery, might you become a part-time vegetarian? If you knew that plastic issues are petroleum issues, would that change how you view waste? Single-use and short-lived plastics must be eliminated from our lives.
Vote with Your Wallet—Relying solely on public policy for salvation may prove futile. Global leaders operate within short electoral cycles, often with limited accountability for long-term solutions. Instead, exercise your power through conscientious purchasing decisions that prioritize the health of our planet. An incredible 50 percent of all plastics produced have been made in the past 15 years. Let’s stop buying it. Half of the world’s plastic are traced to 56 companies. Leading producers of plastic waste are Coca-Cola (11% of identified waste), PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), and Danone (3%).
Collect. Clean. Refill—Treat plastic as a commodity rather than waste. By changing our relationship with it, we can reduce primary production. Support shops that focus on re-use and refilling so that innovations in supply management are possible.
Vote. Vote. Vote—Recognize that voting local may make the biggest difference in your future. This is where zoning decisions and school boards take shape. But vote in every election and choose politicians who are willing to make tough decisions rather than those with empty promises of lower taxes and a better lifestyle.
Embrace Change—Opting for a sustainable future necessitates profound adjustments to our way of life. Yet, humanity possesses an innate capacity for adaptation. Embrace the inevitability of change now rather than postponing the inevitable.
Stay Open-Minded—We stand at a pivotal juncture where bold, unconventional ideas demand swift implementation. Champion individuals, organizations, and stakeholders with audacious visions for a cooler, cleaner world, accelerating their efforts toward tangible solutions.
Maintain Hope—In times of darkness, hope and optimism are catalysts for action. Despair breeds stagnation, but with hope, we inspire collective action toward the future we aspire to inhabit. Be a beacon of positivity, advocating tirelessly for the world we envision.
The diving community can be a leader in the fight against plastic pollution. Delving into the abyss, we navigate uncharted waters, embracing unparalleled encounters. Proficient in risk assessment and safety procedures, we hone our skills in self-rescue and aiding our companions. We gather together to enjoy our experiences, telling stories that captivate and inspire. Who else but us is better suited to spearhead a revolution aimed at safeguarding our species? We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for. The destiny of tomorrow rests within our grasp.
During Earth Week, I was asked to fill the role of the Honorary Ottawa Riverkeeper. I am very excited to take on this volunteer appointment from the Ottawa Riverkeeper - Garde-rivière des Outaouais. I can’t wait to celebrate at the Riverkeeper Gala on May 29th, presented by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Get your tickets here! or check out the site and get involved in citizen science and outreach activities at the River House in Ottawa. - Jill
Explore This - With Robert McClellan
As the newsletter’s resident Pop Culture Evangelist it is my pleasure to share books, movies, music, and other cultural touch points with you. Now, maybe I’m showing my age, but the current crop of auto-tuned, uninspiring, interchangeable “musicians” just don’t stir me as much as artists from years ago.
Take this video for example. Talking Heads released “Burning Down the House” in July 1983 as the first single from their fifth studio album “Speaking In Tongues.” Heads’ drummer Chris Franz had just been to a Parliament-Funkadelic show and found himself yelling “Burn down this house!”, along with thousands of other fans. He was really hyped up when he shared his experience with David Byrne and the rest of the band. They loved the line but changed it slightly to the funk-inspired “Burning Down The House.” Side Note - That’s Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic playing keyboards in this video. Enjoy. Dance. Sing along!
A Poem -
Entrance Of The Rivers by Pablo Neruda
Beloved of the rivers,beset
By azure water and transparent drops,
Like a tree of veins your spectre
Of dark goddess biting apples:
And then awakening naked
To be tattoed by the rivers,
And in the wet heights your head
Filled the world with new dew.
Water rose to your waist,
You are made of wellsprings
And lakes shone on your forehead.
From your sources of density you drew
Water like vital tears
And hauled the riverbeds to the sand
Across the planetary night,
Crossing rough, dilated stone,
Breaking down on the way
All the salt of geology,
Cutting through forests of compact walls
Dislodging the muscles of quartz.
Thank you for being here. We look forward to creating something worth reading in each newsletter. We know you have many choices about where to devote your valuable attention and appreciate the time you spend here with us at the Explorer’s Mindset. - Jill and Robert
Thank you Jill and Robert!
This was really inspiring and so needed right now! It’s so hard to maintain hope, when everywhere you look there are problems that seem insurmountable! We still have tools to affect, create and demand change! I am a neonatal nurse but sometimes I get to distract the siblings of my babies so the parents can spend time with their sick babies and I read to them Chester the Manatee! Kids love that book and they have so many questions and I have a chance to just put a little seed into their hearts I hope🤞! Thank you for creating so many tools and inspiration!