The Future Is Fluid

The Future is Fluid: Women, Water, and the Will to Change the World

This past week, I found myself in the breathtaking city of Salt Lake, Utah, standing on the campus of the University of Utah at their remarkable Natural History Museum. I was honored to deliver the keynote address for their Planet Water series to celebrate Earth Day 2025. The historic Kingsbury Hall was filled with curious minds and kindred spirits, and as I wrapped up my talk, the floor opened for questions—one of my favorite parts of any event.

Above: As I enter the room before a reception in my honor, it still stirs a bit of imposter syndrome

I've grown used to answering a wide range of questions—some light, some profound—but the final two stayed with me.

A man stepped up to the microphone, his ten-year-old daughter at his side. He thanked me for a line I'd shared during my talk—that my personal goal has always been to become "the woman I wished I had met when I was ten years old." Then he asked me, "Do you have a message for her and other young girls in the audience?"

Here's what I told him:

When I began my journey as an underwater explorer, I was often the only girl on the boat. I faced both blatant sexism and the more subtle, unspoken kind of bias. There were days when the obstacles felt overwhelming. There were moments I questioned everything—my strength, my belonging, even my dreams.

But I've learned that those who tried to hold me back weren't speaking about me. They were speaking from their own fears, limitations, and past failures. Their doubt was never mine to carry.

I want every young girl to know this: Your dreams are valid. Your voice matters. And anything is possible when you combine passion with persistence. Progress may be slow, but every step counts. Every challenge, every setback, even the painful moments—they're all part of your foundation. They shape you, but they don't define you.

You get to choose how your story unfolds. Life begins now—in this very moment. And when we move forward with hope in our hearts, guided by empathy and courage, there's no limit to what we can do.

Above: In the green room getting ready to go on stage

The final question of the evening was just as powerful as the one before it. A woman stood up and asked, "With all of your firsthand experience observing climate change and water issues, what's the one lesson you'd like to leave us with?"

It was a question that cut straight to the heart of why I do this work.

My answer was simple, but it came from years of witnessing the water world change beneath my feet:

Climate change and water issues aren't political. They're personal. They're about our survival.

Let me expand on that.

When you've spent as much time underwater as I have—watching coral reefs bleach and vanish, tracing the retreat of glaciers, and seeing coastal communities struggle with saltwater intrusions into their drinking water—you stop thinking of climate change as a concept. It becomes a lived reality. It's not abstract. It's not distant. It's happening here now, affecting people—especially those who have contributed the least to the problem.

The health of our planet's water systems—oceans, rivers, glaciers, aquifers—is directly tied to the health of humanity. We are made of water. We rely on it for everything: drinking, growing food, producing energy, sustaining ecosystems. Without clean, reliable water, communities collapse. Without climate stability, everything becomes more fragile—our homes, food supply, economy, and safety.

So no, this isn't about party lines or debates in Congress. This is about the air we breathe, the food we eat, the future we are building—or failing to build—for our children.

The good news is, we still have a say in that future. We can choose to act with urgency and compassion. We can invest in solutions, support science, elevate voices from frontline communities, and reconnect with the natural world—not out of fear but love.

Because when we protect the planet, we're protecting each other.

That's the one lesson I want to leave with every audience, every classroom, every conversation:

This isn't someone else's problem. It's all of ours. And together, we still have time to make it right.

Above: Books to sign for eager readers

Jill would enjoy presenting to your group, corporate event, or conference. You can make arrangements via her agent at Speaker’s Spotlight in Toronto. https://www.speakers.ca/speakers/jill-heinerth/

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As always, I found myself missing Robert deeply—especially as we reached our 18th wedding anniversary while I was in Utah. While we've spent many milestones apart, we've learned that every moment we share is something to celebrate. It's our partnership that makes everything we do possible, and not a single day goes by that I’m not profoundly grateful to have him by my side.

Someday maybe Robert will tell you the funny story of the “Sorry Red Dress!”

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After writing the article on DCI in our last newsletter, I thought it might be good to add a positive mini-article:

Beneath the surface of the ocean, everything turns to blue. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that shimmer in the sunlight near the surface slowly vanish as you descend. Red disappears first, then orange, then yellow—until only deep blues and indigos remain. The colors aren’t gone; they’re simply hidden, dulled by the weight of water and the absence of light.

Then, a diver switches on a light, instantly transforming the undersea world. Coral once thought pale glows vivid pink and violet. Fish glint with emerald and gold. Even the quiet corners of the reef come alive, revealing creatures that had blended into the background. The color had been there all along, waiting for illumination.

Problem-solving is often the same. When we’re deep in uncertainty, the important details fade, and everything seems muted or unclear. But with the right insight—a fresh perspective, a new approach—it’s like turning on a light. Suddenly, what was hidden becomes visible. Solutions take shape and new strengths emerge, and what once felt like a lifeless void becomes a vibrant landscape of possibilities.

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Robert’s Perfect Song - “Murder On The Dance Floor” - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Over the past few newsletters I’ve been sharing songs that I consider “perfect.” I admit this is very subjective. The criteria to make this list is not necessarily being a favorite song of mine, but rather a song that was just the right tune, at just the right time, by just the right artist. Like our first song selection “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, “Murder On The Dance Floor” is enjoying a second life due to being used in a popular sound track. In Kate Bush’s Case “Running…” was used in a pivotal scene of the “Stranger Things” series. And this week’s song, “Murder On The Dance Floor” dramatically closed the final scene of the black comedy/psychological thriller film “Saltburn.” (And conjures images of actor Barry Keoghan dancing naked through the manor).

First released in 2001 to modest success, it shot to the top of the charts after the 2023 movie. Reacting to the songs new popularity Ellis-Bextor said, “It actually feels really magical. And if I'm honest, I don't think I've completely processed it really...It's extraordinary. It's a song I've been singing for over 20 years, I still love singing it. I love the way people react when I do it live. But for new people to be discovering it, for it to be making new memories with people is kind of beautiful".

The song was written by Ms. Ellis-Bextor and Gregg Alexander, of “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals fame. (Another perfect song that I’ve posted in an early newsletter). The highly entertaining music video depicts a UK dance contest with Ellis-Bextor charming the male judges into crowning her and her partner as winners. (Side Note: Her glittery eye makeup in the video became a thing for women and men in dance clubs across the globe!)

I am certainly not a guy who considers himself a dancer - but there are some “dance club” songs that make me want to twirl around the living room with Jill, clumsily trying not to bump into furniture and kill the groove. “Murder…” is kind of disco, kind of pop, kind of soulful…just a damn perfect song!

Please share your generational music with others - preferably in physical media form as CDs, Vinyl, or even Cassette Tapes!

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This newsletter is 100% organic - no algorithms, chatbots, or artificial sweeteners - just original thoughts and stories from cave diver/explorer Jill Heinerth and guy with two left feet, Robert McClellan. Please consider a small donation allowing us to continue to dedicate time and effort to creating something special each week.

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NOTE* Jill’s reading of “The Lost Intruder” audiobook continues next week.

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Canadian Friends - Monday April 28th is Federal Election Day - VOTE!

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