MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Spring 2018

SPRING 2018 ML BLUE 59 the Edge blog, found that in 969 samples from nearby Lake Superior in 2015, 94 percent contained microplastics. Overwhelming evidence points to a growing problem with pollution and microplastics in the Great Lakes, but with any luck, the calvary is on the way. The EU banned microbeads in 2014, and US Congress followed suit in 2017. Environment Canada says that effective July 2018, microbeads in various shower gels, toothpastes and facial scrubs will be banned. Furthering that positive upswing, research by the Global Microplastics Initiative, one of the largest and most diverse microplastic pollution datasets, reveals that of out of 22 sample tests from Georgian Bay, only a few signalled evidence of plastics. Notably, samples from Tobermory, Severn Sound, Massasauga Provincial Park, and Byng Inlet averaged around 2 particles/litre. Samples from Owen Sound, Nottawasaga Bay, Christian Island, and Killbear Provincial Park all registered zero. • • • In March, Autumn Peltier, a 13-year-old water protector from the Unceded Territory of the Wikwemikong First Nation of Manitoulin Island, addressed the United Nations General Assembly. The lone Canadian to be nominated for the 2017 Children’s International Peace Prize, Peltier was in New York to speak about sanctity of water as representative of civil society. “Where I come from I am so fortunate—I can still drink the water from the lake,” she told the delegation. “No one should have to worry if the water is clean or if they will run out of water… No child should grow up not knowing what clean water is... We all have a right to this water.” If we can stand to learn anything from our treatment of water, it’s that we take for granted the nature of life on this planet and in this country. We don’t need much to sustain life; shelter, food, and water. Finding out how we’ve impacted Georgian Bay with pollution and microplastics is a crippling reality to shatter our preconceived notions of a pristine Canada. “Many people don't think water is alive or has a spirit. My people believe this to be true,” Peltier added. “Mother Earth doesn't need us, but we need her… One day I will be an ancestor, and I want my great-grandchildren to know I tried hard to fight so they can have clean drinking water." “Many people don't think water is alive or has a spirit. My people believe this to be true…” ABOVE Autumn Peltier. COURTESY STEPHANIE PELTIER. BELOW Snug Harbour lighthouse, Georgian Bay. OTMPC