The research led by Dr. John Wilkinson, the Global Monitoring of Pharmaceuticals Projects, uncovered staggering water pollution statistics stemming from pharmaceutical companies worldwide. The study is the first where the global scientific community came together to monitor the practices contributing to environmental issues. Two hundred fifty-eight rivers across the globe were studied for pollutants such as caffeine, metformin, and carbamazepine. The findings show the need to monitor countries in the lower levels of socioeconomic status as they tend to be the most significant contributor to pharmaceutical pollution. The project raises awareness of how countries contribute to pollution and the types of pollutants never before tracked. With this information, change can be instituted to disrupt these unsafe practices. 

This article brings up the point that poorer countries need significant support from advanced countries, especially in production and manufacturing. Global Monitoring of Pharmaceuticals Project promises to raise the awareness of these countries in need of better ways of production. It is sobering to see the data from the study, which confirms that lower socio-economic entities behave in destructive ways, which correlates to individuals suffering from lower socio-economic status. For example, they choose the easiest way to survive because they lack the resources to behave in ways that preserve well-being. Still, I hope this project can shed more light on countries that can benefit from a collaborative approach where sharing engineering best practices can lead them to clean up their act.

Xu, Xiao. “Groups urge probe into water pollution.” Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada], 22 July 2021, p. A6. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A669266669/OVIC?u=usfca_gleeson&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=9496faa6. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.

In Ottawa, Canada, Teck Resources, a mining company was fined $60M after investigations showed the company’s reckless disregard of the rules and regulations protecting the ocean from water pollution. Environmentalist groups highlighted that the company released selenium and calcite pollution into the North American waters. Both US and the International Joint Commission released a letter holding Canada responsible for not reprimanding Teck for the violations. The Canadian government responded that there will be new regulations finalized by 2023 to limit the levels of pollutants.

This article highlights the need for government oversight “watchdogs.” This article questions Canada’s reputation for being eco-friendly. It seems that this huge oversight, failing to monitor mining companies and their practices, will be detrimental not only to the Canadian environment but also to the world. A $60M fine to the largest coal mining company, Teck Resources, who pleaded guilty over the misdeed, seems criminal. Although the article stated that revised and stricter regulations will be made final in 2023, I am curious to see how Canada will clean up the mess at hand.

“United Kingdom: Funding boost for farmers to tackle water pollution.” Mena Report, 3 Aug. 2021, Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A670595323/AONE?u=usfca_gleeson&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=0718503e. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.

On August 2nd of 2021, the U.K. Government announced that funding for Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) would be nearly doubled in order to prevent future fertilizer, soil, and manure runoff from polluting rivers. The Catchment Sensitive Farming program allows farmers access to advice on managing their farmland while reducing pollution efficiently. For many years, one farmer involved with CSF described how the program has helped with soil health, drainage, and structure while also cutting operating costs on his dairy farm.

This article highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, farmers, and landowners. Teaching citizens and workers how to be more environmentally conscious rather than punishing them with taxes once they mess up is more effective, in my opinion. Only good can come from showing farmers how their actions are harmful and teaching them how to increase efficiency while simultaneously preventing potential crises. Other major agricultural countries such as the US, China, and Russia need to adopt similar practices that encourage farmers to be more mindful of pollution. I sincerely hope that putting more money into this fantastic initiative will successfully inspire other nations to do the same.

This ‘Plastic Man’ Has a Cape and a Superhero’s Mission: Cleaning Up Senegal By Mady Camara and Ruth Maclean Jan. 20, 2022 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/world/africa/modou-fall-senegal.html?searchResultPosition=4.

An educator, defender, and protector of the Senegalese environment, Modou Fall works to eliminate his country’s number one cause of pollution: plastics. Senegal is one of the largest polluters of the world’s oceans. Although the government has made efforts to ban the use of plastics, its large coastal population continues to mismanage the production and use of plastics. The impact of the polluted waters off the coast of Dakar affects all but especially the livelihood of Senegalese fishers. Efforts displayed by Fall extended to a demonstration during the famous marathon day in Dakar. Dressed in plastic garb, Fall focuses on his mission to rid his country of plastic.

This article demonstrates how a single person’s actions can lead to change. One of the most prominent issues preventing the world from making substantial progress with climate change is the idea that individual actions will not make a difference. If nobody thinks their actions will lead to something greater, nobody will do anything to make a change. Fortunately, people like Fall understand how they can positively affect the environment and encourage people within the environment to join him. It makes me so hopeful and happy that people are fighting for change in countries that are causing substantial damage to our oceans where there may not be as much awareness and action. 

This Fjord Shows Even Small Populations Create Giant Microfiber Pollution By Jessica Leigh Hester, Sept. 28, 2021 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/science/microfiber-pollution

Microplastic researchers found considerable amounts of microfibers deposited in the fjords of Norway, presumably produced by the tiny village of Svalbard’s (a Norwegian archipelago) unfiltered sewage system. The volume of waste, roughly 18 billion microfibers, presents dangerous implications for surrounding waters and sea life in the Arctic. The researchers continue to gather evidence to support policy changes regarding sewage management, fundamental filtration changes at the city level, and waste clean-up, including efforts by individual communities. Scientists hope to introduce a more timely solution, a filtration system to capture large debris, also preventing smaller bits of microplastics from entering the waterways. 

It is unbelievable that a village with a population of fewer than 3,000 people has the potential to cause this much destruction to the environment. Svalbard alone is not equipped with the resources to handle a mess of this size, and people in power, such as Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in this case, need to be held accountable for environmental crises occurring off of the mainland. As one of the most eco-friendly nations in the world, it is their responsibility not only to monitor and manage water pollution but also to encourage and provide everyone with the resources to prevent situations like these.

Cohen, Li. “Nearly ‘Catastrophic’ Piney Point Wastewater Leak Could Irreparably Harm Neighboring Marine Life, Experts Say.” CBS News, 11 Apr. 2021, www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-wastewater-leak-piney-point-near-catastrophe-harm

From March 26th to April 9th of 2021, around 240 million gallons of phosphate-saturated water from the Piney Point mining company leaked into Tampa Bay. Although state officials claim the water is only slightly acidic and nothing to be concerned about, researchers like Dr. Briceño disagree arguing that the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus are much higher than normal. A water sample showed 21 times more nitrogen than the healthy limit which was set by environmental officials. An increase in nutrients leads to more algae which prevent the seagrass from getting the necessary light to survive.

I feel the authorities are belittling the issue. They are misleading the public into thinking the water is only slightly acidic when outside experts without political agendas have evidence that it is a much bigger problem for sea life. This is a factor that is encouraging the possible extinction of the manatees. People in power continue to minimize environmental issues like this when humans are not directly impacted. 

Samuels, Iris. “Organizations Challenge State Over Water Pollution Permit.” U.S. News & World Report, 19 July 2021, www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2021-07-19/organizations-challenge-state-over-water-pollution-permit. 

In May of 2021, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality approved a permit for new developments in Big Sky, like Lazy J South, to process its wastewater through outdated septic technology that would result in wastewater being discharged into the Gallatin River. The DEQ is doing this despite the proven connection between the wastewater systems and the increased levels of nitrate and nutrients that have caused noxious algal blooms polluting the river. Environmental groups oppose and challenge the decision claiming the state agency is not protecting the waterways as it is supposed to according to the Montana Water Quality Act.

This article helps to highlight some of the issues between government agencies and environmental groups and their different ideas and approaches regarding the environment. It seems the DEQ is more interested in new developments and how they positively impact the economy instead of what the DEQ was formed to do; protect the environment from things like pollution. The lack of care and attention when it comes to matters of dumping wastewater into our beautiful waterways is not only upsetting but inexcusable. Since the DEQ’s job is to protect the environment, it should be using the most efficient and practical methods of processing wastewater, rather than prioritizing the needs of the developers.