Lake Windermere and the distant mountains. Photo by Ed Wingate.
The UK has lush green landscapes, clear blue skies, and beautiful lakes, rivers, and beaches. It’s the fresh air we breathe and the sense of freedom that allows us to enjoy everything from going for a swim at the local, kicking a ball around in public spaces, getting a job, starting a business or campaigning for the things we care about. And yes, sometimes we take being free for granted.
The impact of the Cunsey Beck River pollution event from a wastewater treatment works pipe.
But the trouble under the surface is spilling over in lots of ways, and that’s why we’re partnering with water campaigners this month. Our natural ecosystems are facing challenges, and the balance between the things we invest in and the systems that sustain our planet is not in harmony. Progress is great when it leads to positive outcomes, but if environmental protection isn’t high up on the agenda for us all, nature can suffer.
We can all agree that this isn’t sustainable. Our water cycle is a vital part of the ecosystem, and keeping it clean is far more efficient than trying to fix the problems after. Go try to remove microplastics from your local beach to experience that. If we ignore the health of nature, we end up with larger issues - and bigger cleanup efforts down the line.
Algal blooms caused by sewage pollution in Lake Windermere.
When we design products, systems, businesses, or laws, we must prioritise the one stakeholder we all rely on: the environment.
Take product design, for example - by using natural and recycled materials, harnessing renewable energy, and creating systems that recycle waste into new products, you're building something that works for the planet, not against it.
In the past, failing to use planet-first principles we end up where we are now - checking apps to see if it’s safe to swim in the sea so and when sewage pollution cancels Olympic events, it’s clear we've reached a tipping point. Wildlife and our health are at risk, but we have the power to make a change - let’s look at the solutions.
Meet Matt Staniek, a Windermere local, Zoologist and now multi-award winning campaigner who saw firsthand the damage sewage was causing to England's largest lake and the rivers that feed into it. Driven by his love for the environment, Matt founded Save Windermere to tackle this pressing issue. Today, the campaign is led by Matt and Finn Pattinson, as they fight to protect Windermere from sewage pollution.
Matt’s campaign highlights the incredible strength of community action. He’s rallied support from people across the board, including some high-profile figures, to build momentum and drive change. This united effort shows just how powerful a collective voice can be in addressing environmental challenges.
We’re here to help amplify their message and invite you to join the movement. Save Windermere aims to call out those responsible for our freshwater crisis and show the route to solving the problem. You can help by adding your name to the campaign's 10-point plan for a sewage-free Windermere and their call to grant Windermere with greater protection. Check out Save Windermere’s campaign, explore their investigations into water industry and regulatory failures, and get involved at www.savewindermere.com.
Save Windermere march, joined by over 1,000 people.
This situation wasn’t created overnight, and it’s going to take all of us working together to fix it. The good news is, systems can be redesigned. Just as things in our world evolve—like currency from ancient times to modern-day money—we can create a water system that benefits both people and nature.
We may not have all the answers yet, but asking the right questions and being open to new ideas is the first step. Let’s take inspiration from people like Matt, listen to their ideas, and maybe even come up with some solutions of our own.
Seeing pollution in our waterways is disheartening, but let’s focus on how we can change that. The answers are out there, and with collective action, the future looks bright.
