“Bottled or tap?”

This is the question we are not only asked frequently at restaurants, but we also ask ourselves every time we reach for a glass of water. Subconsciously, the answer is almost always bottled. 

It’s a good time to think about water as October 18 marks the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Clean Water Act in the U.S, which largely came about because of the very first Earth Day in 1970, when 20 million people across the United States marched, demanding clean air and clean water. 

While not everyone has access to clean drinking tap water from a tap – what’s shocking is that for many of us that do – we still prefer plastic bottled water.  Why? Because tap water is losing the PR war with plastic bottled water. 

Consider this terrible truth – producing one billion plastic bottles requires 24 million gallons of oil, and given that a staggering 79 percent of all the plastic ever made remains in polluting landfill sites around the world, why are we asking for our water to be served to us this way?

Plastics PR Coup

The public’s perception of plastic bottles as ‘better’ than tap water has been shaped by clever marketing campaigns. Brands like FIJI and Smartwater lure the public with their appealing names and promises of purity. Consequently, about 39 percent of participants in a recent Harvard study thought bottled water was superior to tap. 

But, that’s not always a fair comparison. This March 2024, the FDA recalled over 78,000 cases of Fiji,  due to the presence of three strains of bacteria and elevated manganese levels. This was followed in April when the FDA issued a second bottled drinking water recall, this time for a brand called “Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water’.  While neither contaminants were considered life threatening and the Fufi Water recall was eventually downgraded to a Class III category  recall – both cases illustrate that bottled water is not immune to issues. However the one that is perhaps most worrying is around plastics getting into bottle water. 

One concerning study revealed that the average liter of bottled water can contain up to 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, 90 percent of the plastics they found were so tiny that they were classified as nanoplastics. These particles are even smaller than microplastics, which are typically visible to the eye and roughly the size of a grain of rice. When microplastics break down further, they form nanoplastics, measuring less than 1 µm in size. This tiny size allows them to penetrate the body’s cells and tissues. 

Recent research has found microplastics in human blood, feces, and major organs. The health implications of these plastics are rapidly emerging with evidence suggesting associations with serious human health issues, including cell death and the decrease of immunity. 

EARTHDAY.ORG’s own report, BABIES Vs. PLASTICS, published in November 2023 highlighted the risks these tiny plastic pieces present to babies especially: interrupted maternal-fetal communication, damaged DNA, autism and other endocrine disruption issues such as early onset puberty and cancers, including the prostate gland of fetuses were all associated with plastics.  More research is needed to study the impact of plastic fragments, microplastics and nanoplastics, on human health as well as the plastic-related chemicals these particulates leach out into us and the environment. 

How can you avoid drinking plastic particles and plastic related chemicals ? Where possible opt for tap water because according to research from 2022 by the National Institute of Health (NIC), in Bethesda, Maryland, tap water in the US at least contains less plastic contaminants than bottled water.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  is responsible for regulating tap water in the United States, and monitors for 90 known contaminants in tap water. 

In San Francisco, a city that provides one of the best water qualities in the U.S, tap water is tested more than 10,000 times before being distributed. In April, 2024, the EPA announced new rules known as the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), which covers six  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat and are commonly used in plastic products.  The EPA is anticipating that the new ruling will “prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses”.

In addition, the EPA announced $1 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states implement rigorous PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. 

There have been cases of tap water being deemed dangerous, albeit not from plastics. For example in 2014 in Flint, Michigan, the local authority switched their municipal water supply source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. This corroded water distribution pipes, which then leached lead directly into tap water.  But hopefully instances like this are rare. 

Bottled water meanwhile is monitored for safety and reliability by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA manages bottled water as a food product, which means that bottled water does not have to be tested by certified laboratories for quality testing or for reporting test results.

More Positives for Tap Water

The other added benefit of tap water is that much of it is fluoridated. Fluoride is added at low levels because it’s been shown to harden the enamel layer of teeth which builds up our resistance to tooth decay.  

Tap water is significantly more economical than single-use plastic bottled water. Consumers who regularly buy bottled water pay approximately 3,000 percent more than those who drink tap water. Although costs can vary by household, the average annual water bill is around $300, translating to about a penny per gallon, while bottled water costs about $1.44 per gallon.

What’s more, an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic end up in our environment annually- polluting the soil and our precious water table and ultimately and ironically,  ourselves. 

Reject the Bottle and Embrace the Tap

However, public skepticism over tap water persits which is helping to drive the ever expanding  $46 billion U.S bottled water market, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today.

We are so habitually used to having a plastic bottle of water ready and in our grasp, that it is easy to forget about good old tap water. 

Psychologically, humans rely on two systems to motivate behavior;  system 1 is responsible for making immediate decisions, while system 2 is about making analytical decisions.  It is hard to switch to the latter system, because it requires more thinking and much more reasoning. So, when faced with the option of bottled or tap water, humans will tend to pick the one they are most familiar with, which is increasingly plastic bottled water. Even though it’s much more expensive, it is destroying the planet and poisoning our bodies with plastic particles and chemicals.  

Let’s face it: switching to tap water isn’t just a matter of convenience; it requires us to break free from our ingrained habits.  To make a meaningful change, we must learn to actively engage System 2 when it comes to our water choices. By consciously allowing our values to guide us, we can opt for tap water and help mitigate the waste and pollution associated with single-use plastic bottles, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. 

To help protect our communities from plastic buildup, and inform policymakers on plastic pollution and its underlying causes, consider donating to the EARTHDAY.ORG campaign to End Plastics. By uncovering the systematic problems within plastic use, including the misinformation regarding tap water, we can make a difference for our planet – and our own health, because every plastic water bottle sold is one more bottle too much.  

The post The War on Tap Water appeared first on Earth Day.

This World Habitat Day, let’s celebrate the bridge between land and sea — mangroves trees. 

In the world of vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish, trees might be the last thing on your mind. But below the surface, mangroves play a vital role in supporting our underwater ecosystems as well as mitigating climate change. 

There are about 80 species of mangrove tree. From Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) recognizable by its distinctive stilt-like roots that provide stability and support in muddy, tidal zones. Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), typically found in slightly higher, less waterlogged areas compared to red and black mangroves. It has glandular leaves that excrete excess salt and Buttonwood Mangrove (Conocarpus erectus) are just some of them.

Mangrove trees are uniquely adapted to survive in brackish and saltwater environments, with their root systems enduring periods of submersion in seawater. While their specialized roots can handle these saline conditions, as well as frequent flooding, their canopies grow above the waterline. It is as if they grow  half in and half out of the salty water line. 

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gasses

As most people know, trees are critical in reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂), through photosynthesis.  All trees, plants and algae absorb CO₂ during this process and convert it into oxygen and organic matter.  Phytoplankton in the oceans are also carbon sinks. 

This is critically important as CO₂ is the primary driver of climate change and is known as a greenhouse gas.  When we burn fossil fuels, oil, gas and coal, we release CO₂ into the atmosphere which increases the concentration of greenhouse gasses. These gasses trap heat by absorbing infrared radiation that the Earth’s surface emits and re-radiates it back toward the surface, thereby warming the planet.

As CO₂ levels rise, more heat is trapped, intensifying this greenhouse effect and subsequently increasing global warming. Our CO₂ absorbing forests, algae, mangroves, and phytoplankton therefore play a crucial role in combating climate change and mangrove trees are the unsung heroes of this process because they are carbon dioxide guzzlers. 

Coastal Powerhouses

What makes mangroves trees truly special are their root systems that are often exposed and tangled, and which serve as networks that can stabilize coastlines, filter pollutants, and most importantly, act as carbon sinks. 

Mangrove trees have exceptional carbon sequestration abilities. They absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and trap it in their biomass, roots, branches, and leaves, as well as the carbon-rich sediments beneath them. But mangroves annually collect carbon at a rate ten times greater than mature tropical forests. 

Fish Nurseries

Beyond their super hero-like ability to absorb greenhouse gasses, mangrove trees offer another invaluable service – their root systems provide a safe haven for more than 1500 other species. Of the aquatic species they benefit, including birds, algae, and mammals, the connection between fish and mangroves is arguably the most essential. 

Before migrating to open water and large coral reefs, many species like sharks, barracuda, tarpon, snappers, groupers and snook, among many others, need a safe protected space to mature, that is free from strong currents and predators. The tangled root systems of the mangroves, submerged underwater, are perfect fish nurseries. 

When the rainy season arrives, the increased flow of freshwater introduces freshwater species into the mangrove fish nurseries, while in contrast, during the dry season, the lower salinity levels drive many marine species to migrate further offshore. Certain marine fish species, such as the snook fish, prefer the lower salinities of the mangroves and choose to stay there throughout the year.

The health of coral reef fish species populations and the success of mangroves are unquestionably linked. Researchers at the Bulletin of Marine Science concluded that diminishing adult fish populations from coral reefs are directly correlated to the disappearances of the world’s mangrove populations. 

Asian countries are home to the largest mangrove populations, at about 42 percent. China, India, and Indonesia are the top three countries with the highest fish production, making Asia known for both mangroves and fish. In India, EARTHDAY.ORG has been planting mangrove trees with local partners on the ground for many years now in the Sundarbans riverine estuaries of Bengal. In the U.S., Florida’s coasts are home to the largest mangrove swamps, encompassing over 600,000 acres of critically important habitat for wildlife.

A Crucial Battle

Despite their critical importance, these forests continue to decline across the world. The Philippines has lost more than 10 percent of their mangrove coverage since 1990 and Nigeria has seen a detrimental loss of nearly 161.9 km squared.  Nearly all of the 70 different mangroves species face destruction due to water pollution, dredging and ironically climate change.

Although projected to survive a moderate rising in sea levels, an extreme sea-level rate, driven by melting ice and thermal expansion, can inundate mangrove areas. This will disrupt their delicate balance and potentially lead to loss if the mangroves cannot migrate or adapt quickly enough. 

Increased temperatures can stress mangrove trees, heightening salt stress and affecting growth. Altered precipitation patterns may result in either excessive flooding or droughts, both of which can harm mangroves by altering salinity levels and water availability. 

More intense storms can cause physical damage to mangroves, uprooting trees and disrupting sediment balance, while ocean acidification weakens root structures and impacts dependent marine life. 

A Cycle of Human, Fish, Tree Dependence

It’s simple.  Humans rely on fish for food and livelihood, fish depend on mangroves for critical habitat and nursery grounds, and mangroves depend on us for protection and conservation.  Without mangroves to help fish flourish, fish populations will decline, affecting the food security of over 200 million people in coastal regions.  A staggering estimated 75 percent of commercially caught fish can be traced back to these coastal forests.  

Which is why we must recognize and preserve the bond between fish and mangrove trees, ensuring the survival of both, for generations to come. You can be part of the efforts by donating to The Canopy Project, EARTHDAY.ORG’s worldwide reforestation efforts.

The post Fish Need Trees appeared first on Earth Day.

Today, communities around the globe have united to make a difference. 

It is World Cleanup Day, and people are taking action in addressing environmental challenges and encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their local surroundings. The United Nations General Assembly implemented this solution last December, making September 20 the first of many World Cleanup Days. 

God’s Own Garden: A Hotspot

Unanimously nicknamed “God’s own Garden,” the small village of Mawlynnong lives up to its nickname. It serves as a pristine example of what can be achieved through dedication and communal effort.

Located in northeastern India, in the heart of Meghalaya, is a place that leaves a lasting impression. Declared the cleanest town in Asia in 2003, Mawlynnong is a hotspot for rural tourism, with its community based ecotourism initiative. The village even saw an increase of 60 percent in per capita income.

Tourist attractions and their surrounding towns often face challenges when it comes to maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment. As popularity grows, so does the influx of visitors, which can lead to environmental degradation, like increased pollution, loss of natural habitats, and depletion of water resources.

Despite its buzz, the citizens of Mawlynnong have learned to battle the surplus of visitors. Tourists are encouraged to respect the local customs and practices that keep the town as clean as possible. The economic gains are, in return, used for the maintenance of the village.

Community-Led Support 

Environmental degradation and pollution are key concerns for the villagers of the town, resulting in this sustainable, eco-friendly way of living. 

From adults to young children, residents have taken on the responsibility of keeping their village litter-free. Village leaders have made cleaning a regular activity for the community’s well-being. Residents not only tidy their homes but also volunteer to sweep the roads and plant trees on a regular basis. Plastic and smoking are banned, contributing to the prevention of air and land pollution.

Every home in Mawlynnong has had a fully functioning toilet since 2007, furthering the cleanliness of the streets and resources. 

Sanitation facilities are rare for smaller villages, especially in South Asia. Globally, the number of people without access to clean sanitation facilities reaches 1.5 billion. Due to these limitations, people might turn to open defecation. It is reported that 17 percent of the rural population of India alone practices open defecation. 

Not only does improved sanitation reduce diseases and filth, but also provides many potential environmental benefits. With an adequate system, there is a possibility to retrieve water, nutrients, and renewable energy from wastewater. Community resilience to climate shock is often increased through safe use of wastewater for irrigation. 

Mawlynnong’s efforts do just that.

With bamboo dustbins and disposal pits for waste collection, the citizens have found an innovative way to renew and recycle  — reutilize garbage as manure.  

A Call For Action

What we see in Mawlynnong is a blueprint for communities everywhere. With collective effort and a commitment to sustainability, positive change is possible.

Around the world, people can adopt similar practices, by fostering local pride and encouraging residents to take part in keeping their surroundings clean. Simple initiatives, such as regular clean-up days, tree planting events, and the establishment of recycling programs, can have a profound impact. 

If we treat every day like World Cleanup Day, every village can achieve what Mawlynnong has.

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