Equity In Every Drop - A Waterkeeper Alliance Podcast

Justinn Overton of Coosa Riverkeeper joins to discuss how growing up outdoors in Alabama on Logan Martin Lake and the Coosa River shaped her love for waterways and led her into advocacy and Waterkeeper work, beginning with volunteering for Black Warrior Riverkeeper in exchange for concert tickets. She describes the challenge of protecting rivers across 12 Alabama counties with limited funding and staff, and the emotional toll of slow progress, regulatory capture, and issues like PFAS, PCBs, coal ash, and a proposed graphite mine near her rural community. Overton shares burnout tools including reframing “I have to” into “I get to,” setting boundaries to be accessible but not always available, relying on therapy and Waterkeeper peers, staying connected to nature, visiting other Waterkeepers with her team, and finding “joy” after her mother Joy’s death by enjoying the river she protects.

Host Thomas Hynes speaks with Laura Reinsborough of Ottawa Riverkeeper about the Ottawa River’s swimmability and watershed protection. Reinsborough outlines her background in environmental studies, founding an urban fruit tree nonprofit in Toronto, and leading Food for All New Brunswick. She describes the Ottawa River as a 1,200+ km river with a vast drainage basin, the largest tributary to the St. Lawrence within the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence freshwater system, and notes it runs through unceded Anishnabe Algonquin territory across Ontario and Quebec. Ottawa Riverkeeper began in 2001 in response to untreated sewage from combined sewer overflows across a fragmented watershed of over 300 municipalities. She reports that the City of Ottawa’s overflows have been reduced by over 90% through transparency, monitoring (including real-time public maps and email notifications), and major infrastructure, including a sewage storage tunnel completed in 2021. Despite improved water quality, public perception lags; a 2020 survey found most believed the river unsafe. Reinsborough says people do swim (herself included), and urban beaches test safe about 85% of the time, with results aggregated on Swim Guide and advice to wait 24–48 hours after heavy rain. She discusses the Swimmable Cities Alliance and swimming as human “rewilding.” Additional priorities include road salt, 85+ fish species, American eel decline due to 50+ dams, PFAS and microplastics, and nuclear waste concerns. She also describes River School (launched 2023 at River House), reaching about 4,000 students with hands-on watershed, biodiversity, and water-quality education, including a birchbark canoe module.

In this episode of 'Equity in Every Drop,' host Thomas Hynes sits down with Dr. Rosalia Arteaga, a leading environmental advocate and education leader. The discussion covers Dr. Arteaga's distinguished career, including her roles as the former President and Vice President of Ecuador, and her involvement with Waterkeeper Alliance. Dr. Arteaga shares her early influences, her passion for integrating environmental stewardship with education, and her efforts in promoting conservation practices. They also discuss the importance of youth involvement, the potential of science and technology in environmental conservation, and the upcoming global Waterkeeper meeting in Quito, Ecuador. Dr. Arteaga also introduces her project to establish an Eco museum and library in Quito. This in-depth conversation offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of education, government, and environmental work.

In this episode, host Thomas Hynes interviews Sharif Jamil, the Buriganga Riverkeeper and coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh. Sharif, a global environmental leader, shares his journey from personal connection to Bangladesh's rivers to becoming an activist and leader in water protection. He discusses the challenges faced by rivers in Bangladesh, such as industrial pollution and urban encroachment, and celebrates the victories, including raising awareness and securing legal recognition for rivers. Sharif reflects on the value of being part of the Waterkeeper Alliance, emphasizing the strength of the network and the shared passion among waterkeepers worldwide.

In the fourth season of Equity in Every Drop, we’re taking listeners on a journey across the globe to hear stories from Waterkeepers working on the frontlines of clean water defense.This season, we spotlight the unique threats, challenges, and opportunities these advocates face in their regions—while also uncovering the shared mission that connects their work: ensuring everyone’s right to clean water.From defending free-flowing rivers and engaging communities through education, to the urgent fight to protect and monitor waterways—even in the midst of armed conflict—we’ll explore how water advocacy is both deeply local and inherently global.Because as we know, water does not recognize borders. Defending it must be a collective, international effort.Whether you’re an experienced advocate or just beginning to learn about the global movement for clean water, join us this season as we amplify voices from around the world and continue the fight for equity in every drop.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with two influential leaders dedicated to the preservation of critical ecosystems. The episode opens with Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper Amy Wicks, who discusses her efforts to protect the largest remaining wetland ecosystem in the American West. Amy elaborates on her background in child advocacy and transition into water policy, sharing her experiences serving on the Ogden City Council. She highlights the Great Salt Lake's significant decline in water levels due to upstream water diversions, primarily for outdoor use such as lawns and golf courses, and discusses the severe ecological impacts stemming from this loss—particularly on migratory bird populations and air quality. She emphasizes the importance of a national and international collaborative approach as well as introduces the 4200 Project, a policy initiative aimed at raising the lake's water levels to 4198 feet to sustain its health and ecological balance.Bocas de Ceniza Waterkeeper Liliana Guerrero joins the conversation with insights into her organization's mission to protect Columbian rivers, wetlands, and coastal zones through community engagement, legal advocacy, and scientific monitoring. She speaks on the significance of wetlands and Ramsar sites in Colombia (the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands), describing their role as critical habitats for over 190 migratory bird species. Underlining the threats these habitats face, such as deforestation, contamination, and climate change, Liliana notes the accelerated rate of wetland decline compared to forests. She elaborates on her work in the legislative field, coordinating efforts to recognize Colombia's rivers as legal entities deserving of special ecological and cultural protection. She also stresses the significant role civil society and Waterkeeper groups play in promoting wetland governance, defending environmental defenders, and translating global frameworks into actionable local projects.

In this episode of 'Equity in Every Drop,' host Thomas Hynes sits down with Sean Dixon, a prominent and prolific environmental advocate who currently serves as Executive Director and Soundkeeper for Puget Soundkeeper in Seattle, Washington. The discussion primarily focuses on the harmful effects of 6PPD-quinone, a highly toxic chemical derived from tire particles, which has a particularly devastating impact on coho salmon in the Puget Sound. The conversation delves into the broader impact of tire pollution, the history of 6PPD, and the collaborative efforts needed at local, state, and federal levels to mitigate this environmental threat. Tune in to learn more about the crucial work done by Puget Soundkeeper and how you can support their mission.

In the Series 3 premiere of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Chelsea McDonald, manager of Waterkeeper Alliance’s Clean Water Defense campaign, about how the organization and its network of locally based Waterkeeper groups around the world are addressing threats to clean water. Chelsea explores the wide range of critical issues facing our communities today, including pervasive pollution from plastics, PFAS, 6PPD, and nonpoint sources. She explains how her work with the Clean Water Defense campaign helps shape policies and strategies to combat these environmental challenges at both national and global levels. The conversation touches on the inadequacies of current recycling systems, the rise of microplastics and PFAS in water sources and human bodies, and the complexities of regulating nonpoint source pollution.Learn how Waterkeeper Alliance and Waterkeeper groups are at the forefront of combating environmental threats like PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals," and 6PPD, a toxic compound from vehicle tires. Chelsea explains the serious risks posed by PFAS and how Waterkeeper Alliance, in collaboration with local Waterkeeper groups, is gathering data, supporting litigation, and advocating for stronger regulations. At the same time, they are working together to address 6PPD, a harmful rubber additive that breaks down into 6PPD-quinone, which is devastating to aquatic ecosystems, particularly salmon populations.The episode also highlights initiatives like the Global Plastics Treaty and the International Plastic Pellet Count, both aimed at tackling plastic pollution. While Chelsea emphasizes the importance of collective action and stronger regulations, she also points to positive signs of industry involvement and growing public awareness. The conversation concludes with Chelsea emphasizing the importance of securing protections for the Eastern Hellbender under the Endangered Species Act. As a key indicator species for ecosystem health, protecting this ancient salamander highlights the vital connections between nature, wildlife, and people.

In this final episode of series two of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Reverend Jimmy Melvin, senior pastor of Mount Zion Church in Magnolia, North Carolina. With 40 years of pastoral experience, Reverend Melvin shares his transition from ministry to environmental advocacy, driven by the disproportionate impacts of factory farms on his community.He gives first-hand accounts of the environmental and social toll of concentrated animal feeding operations on adjacent communities, including the pollution of drinking water, adverse health effects, and damage to local ecosystems. Reverend Melvin underscores how these industrial practices endanger the health, livelihoods, and well-being of his neighbors, emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect clean air and water for all.Through his collaboration with Waterkeeper Alliance, Reverend Melvin demonstrates the transformative power of stewardship, spiritual commitment, and collective action in addressing environmental challenges. He highlights the importance of community engagement, scientific research, and partnerships across various sectors to create sustainable solutions.This episode explores the intersection of faith and environmental advocacy, showing how spiritual leadership can inspire meaningful change, foster justice, and guide efforts toward sustainable community development.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes is joined by Dr. Christopher D. Heaney, Ph.D., an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Heaney's research focuses on the human health impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations, more commonly known as factory farms. Throughout the episode, they explore the significant hazards these facilities pose to both workers and nearby fenceline communities, including respiratory issues, the spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, and environmental contamination.Dr. Heaney discusses his research on the link between high-density animal production and human health, sharing his journey from personal curiosity to academic inquiry. He stresses the urgent need to address these health risks and the importance of considering the lived experiences of affected communities when crafting regulatory policies. The conversation also touches on broader issues of environmental justice, with an emphasis on the need for a proactive approach to protect public health from the impacts of industrial livestock operations.Another key topic is the promising, yet controversial, biogas technology used to capture methane from livestock waste to produce renewable energy. While this technology may seem like an innovative solution, Dr. Heaney raises concerns about its potential risks. He warns that these biogas facilities could worsen health problems for nearby residents, particularly through the release of pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide. He also points to the unsettling possibility that these facilities could become as hazardous as fossil fuel industries, especially in the event of catastrophic failures due to natural disasters like hurricanes, which frequently affect regions like North Carolina.Dr. Heaney further advocates for more robust and proactive community engagement and public health surveillance. He stresses the importance of active surveillance and systematic testing, which could provide early warnings for emerging health threats, particularly those related to zoonotic diseases, which can transfer from animals to humans. In a global health context, such surveillance is crucial as the world continues to face the challenges posed by pandemics and their widespread effects.

In this episode, host Thomas Hynes delves deep into the environmental impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with expert insights from Dr. Michael Mallin, a research professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Cape Fear Riverkeeper, Kemp Burdette. The discussion covers the extensive pollution caused by swine and poultry farms in North Carolina, the devastating effects of hurricanes on these facilities, and the subsequent impacts on water quality, ecosystems, and public health. Key topics include the pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus leading to algae blooms, the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the inadequacies in CAFO waste management and regulation. The guests highlight the challenges faced in regulating non-point source pollution, the powerful industry lobbying, and the urgent need for more stringent policies, while underscoring the importance of sustainable farming practices. This episode is a call to action for better regulation and transparency to protect the environment and public health from the adverse effects of industrial agriculture.

Equity in Every Drop: Season 2 TrailerWelcome back to Equity In Every Drop, where we continue to spotlight the vital work of the Waterkeeper movement in the fight for clean, safe, and equitable water for all. In our first series, we explored the intersection of water, climate change, and environmental justice with guests from the United States, Senegal, and The Bahamas. WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2Now, in our second series, we explore factory farms — industrial facilities that wreak havoc on water and air quality, human health, and the economic well-being of residents and small scale farmers. These operations, often shielded from public scrutiny, release toxins that contaminate local water sources, degrade air quality, and harm surrounding communities.Join host Thomas Hynes as we bring you compelling conversations with legal experts, health officials, and local community members who endure the consequences of these toxic facilities. Together, we uncover the true cost of factory farming and highlight the resilience, resistance, and hope of those on the front lines of this environmental struggle.LISTEN, LEARN, AND TAKE ACTIONWhether you're a seasoned advocate for clean water or just starting to understand the impacts of factory farming on our environment and communities, this series provides the insights and inspiration needed to make a difference. We examine the policies, actions, and solutions required to combat these harms and work towards a future where every drop of water is safe, clean, and equitable.To learn more about our global movement and how you can support the fight for environmental justice, visit waterkeeper.org.Stay tuned for another season of powerful conversations that demand equity in every drop!