I don't know whether this has been discussed much, but how can USMS support "going green," promoting and/or being supportive of being environmentally responsible for clean water to swim in as well as to drink?
Open Water swims, of course, are the perfect venues to remind us all to keep our waters clean for swimming. The Boston swim focuses on this; do other Open Water swims promote cleaner water? What do they do?
Can pool Masters swimmers, clubs, LMSCs promote being "greener"? Encouraging people to take shorter showers is one way. What are other ways?
I think it is a fine idea and good opportunity for USMS to promote this particular aspect of the environment. By the way, all the Great Lakes are down several inches, except for Lake Superior (where, at the moment, we don't have Open Water swims...but who knows, in the future???).
Jennifer Parks, Michigan Masters
Jennifer,
It seems to me you are raising a number of issues that don't have a collective answer. Some of the pollution emission is controlled (or permitted) by state legislature. Most swimming orgs are staffed by volunteer or low-paid individuals who do not have the time, expertise, or interest to lobby. Yes, Lake Michigan is low, but it is always low in the fall.
Your best allies might be fishers (used to be fishermen), just as wilderness preservers and tree huggers have found a strong ally in the hunting lobby, which is interested in careful husbandry of resources and habitat to enjoy its hobby.
I do not think there is a single simple answer. Do you read the swim mags on-line rather than in paper form? Resources, including water, go into the electronics that allow you to do so. Nor am I sure what you are asking. Do you want US Masters Swim as an org to do something specific? What would that be? As a nonprofit org, and, more to the point, not wealthy org, it faces significant constraints. Wealthier nonprofits, such as Sierra Club, which would presumably attract private funding, are in better position to protect waters through protecting watersheds. I agree with aquageek that such matters are best left to deep-pocketed, dedicated orgs, some of which get federal money -- your tax dollars -- to carry out their good work.
The Hudson got cleaned up through the actions of local individuals, and it took a long time, but perhaps that is a model for you to follow. I do not think anyone here disagrees with your desire for greener, bluer water, but translating that into action can take a lifetime. Do you want to try to do something where you live and swim?
What specifically do you seek from this forum?
Regards, VB
Jennifer,
It seems to me you are raising a number of issues that don't have a collective answer. Some of the pollution emission is controlled (or permitted) by state legislature. Most swimming orgs are staffed by volunteer or low-paid individuals who do not have the time, expertise, or interest to lobby. Yes, Lake Michigan is low, but it is always low in the fall.
Your best allies might be fishers (used to be fishermen), just as wilderness preservers and tree huggers have found a strong ally in the hunting lobby, which is interested in careful husbandry of resources and habitat to enjoy its hobby.
I do not think there is a single simple answer. Do you read the swim mags on-line rather than in paper form? Resources, including water, go into the electronics that allow you to do so. Nor am I sure what you are asking. Do you want US Masters Swim as an org to do something specific? What would that be? As a nonprofit org, and, more to the point, not wealthy org, it faces significant constraints. Wealthier nonprofits, such as Sierra Club, which would presumably attract private funding, are in better position to protect waters through protecting watersheds. I agree with aquageek that such matters are best left to deep-pocketed, dedicated orgs, some of which get federal money -- your tax dollars -- to carry out their good work.
The Hudson got cleaned up through the actions of local individuals, and it took a long time, but perhaps that is a model for you to follow. I do not think anyone here disagrees with your desire for greener, bluer water, but translating that into action can take a lifetime. Do you want to try to do something where you live and swim?
What specifically do you seek from this forum?
Regards, VB
