Taking action to protect rivers
14th of March is celebrated as the International Day of Action for Rivers. It started in 1997 in Brazil during the first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and was initially adopted by 20 countries. It aims to raise awareness about destructive water development projects, reclaim the health of watersheds, and demand the equitable and sustainable management of our rivers. The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day for communities to come together and call for the protection of rivers worldwide.
Despite being vital to life on the planet, freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened in the world. Freshwater species have seen an 83% decline since 1970, which is twice the rate experienced by marine and terrestrial ones. They need to be cared for more than ever.
We understand the scale of the problem seems daunting and overwhelming. However, small, and local actions definitely make a difference and can influence others to do the same, scaling up conservation efforts. We have highlighted seven actions you can easily include in your routine that will effectively help rivers.
Save water
Reducing our water consumption reduces the amount of energy required to pump, filter, and heat it, as well as the amount of wastewater that goes into treatment facilities. Not to mention that it helps divert less water from rivers and streams and keeps the environment in balance. Fixing leaky faucets, fully loading the washing machine and dishwasher, and taking shorter showers are some simple ways of saving water.
Use eco-friendly cleaning products
If possible, swap your cleaning products for green alternatives. Cleaning products wash down the drain and can eventually make their way into rivers and streams. Eco-friendly products are safer for us and the environment as they’re usually made up of organic and biodegradable substances. Also, environmental-friendly cleaning companies tend to use plastic-free or recycled packaging.
Reduce your plastic consumption
Plastic is everywhere and it always finds its way to the environment – woodlands, rivers, and the ocean. While recycling plays an important role in tackling the plastic crisis, it can’t solve it by itself. Reducing the amount of plastic should be the priority, which we know it’s not easy. However, when possible, a few swaps can go a long way: you can carry a reusable cup or water bottle, use beeswax wraps instead of cling film, opt for a bamboo toothbrush, and prefer loose fruit and vegetables to ones wrapped in single-use plastic, are only a few examples.
Become a citizen scientist
Gathering data to advocate for change is another way to help rivers. Citizen scientists play a vital role in our projects, be it collecting and monitoring plastic litter, sampling water, or monitoring aquatic invertebrates. This data is used to influence projects, pressure decision-makers to develop environmental policies, improve knowledge about river health and raise awareness about the issues affecting our waterways. You can learn more about citizen science here and check our Events page for upcoming courses and opportunities to get involved.
Volunteer
We can’t stress how important volunteering is to enable environmental and river conservation efforts. Whether it’s litter-picking, installing woody deflectors, planting trees, or managing vegetation, volunteers are at the heart of our work at Thames21. More than giving back to the environment and the local community, volunteering also fosters connections with like-minded people and with nature. If you haven’t tried it yet, we highly recommend it. With so many events happening across London, there’ll definitely be one of interest near you.
Start your River Action Group
You can take your volunteering experience to the next level by running your own River Action Group. By completing our Leading Action for Healthy Rivers training course, you can register your group and be supported by Thames21 to plan and run your waterway events and activities. We can support River Action Groups with public liability insurance (subject to our events protocol being followed), have a Training or a Project Officer helping you plan your first event, loan equipment, have your events publicised on our website and take a fully funded Emergency First Aid training course with us.
Spread the word
Sharing knowledge and ideas with your loved ones can also help the environment. The more people are aware of the issues facing our rivers and waterways, the more people will care and be motivated to act. Speak to your family and friends and share posts on social media – this is an easy but effective way of raising awareness of important issues and educating people.
Have you taken any of these actions to help protect our rivers or do you have any other ideas? Let us know, we want to hear from you!