The sloop Clearwater has been sailing since 1969, spreading a message of caring for the environment and for restoring clean water to our rivers, streams and oceans. Now that clean water is again under attack by the new administration, the replica Hudson River sloop will be sailing to Washington DC with an expected arrival of June 18.
The mission of the sail is to carry a “cargo of concern” felt by New Yorkers and Americans alike for clean water and science-based federal water policy. The Clearwater will be joined by representatives of various environmental groups and state, county and local officials as they carry their message to the nation’s capital.
The non-profit organization which built the Clearwater was founded by activist and folks singer Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi Seeger. The Seegers and the Clearwater organization played a pivotal role in the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Clean Water Act (CWA) is still the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution.
From the Clearwater website:
The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is sailing to our nation’s capital to deliver a message from our members and supporters- in the Hudson Valley and across the country- that we…
- Stand for clean water and healthy rivers.
- Cannot return to the days of dead rivers, choking air, and toxic waste.
- Need federal agencies, like the EPA, that enforce the regulations that are protecting public health and safety.
- Believe that environmental policy needs to be based on sound science.
- Understand that climate change is a major threat to the ecology, the economy and the security of the nation and urgent action must be taken to address it.
- Know that pollution is an environmental justice issue, often harming the most vulnerable communities among us the most.
- Want a sustainable world for our children and for future generations.
- All our waters are connected. All our waters must be protected.
Lifelong Republican and first EPA administrator William Ruckelshaus admirably explains the necessity of steady public pressure in support of environmental stewardship in this oral history interview:
https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/william-d-ruckelshaus-oral-history-interview.html
Nothing happens in this department without public pressure– there are too many other confounding factors for legislators to deal with the issue without having clear and consistent public support.
So, a salute to Clearwater.
Hear, hear! If memory serves (correct me if I’m wrong), her last trip to Washington was for the first Earth Day.
Oh yes, spread the message, all across the world, a water crisis of supply shortages & purity is looming.
Let this vessel sing to your government & raise awareness of the issue.
Here ,in far away Sydney Australia we have activists also dealing with this.
I am making a human powered pump to give a ‘hands-on’ // ‘feet-on’ experience for people to get the feeling of water in an unique way, with the intention of understanding how to ‘love water’.
It is the essence of life.