Wearing your Swim Drink Fish love on your sleeve
Waterkeeper's team wearing their Swim Drink Fish circles with pride while collecting water samples from Toronto's harbour this past summer. (Photo by Li Black)
I support Swimmable Drinkable Fishable water. Do you?
Or maybe the better question is, do you know that your waterbody – the river you pass during your morning commute, the lake you play in with your kids, or the pond that you fish from - might not be swimmable, drinkable, and fishable? And, if it isn’t, is it considered a problem?
I picture the day when I can run down to the waterfront and without giving it a second thought or worrying about getting sick, jump in. Maybe you already have this luxury and freedom. But most people don’t.
Somewhere along the line we decided that the Don’t Swim, Don’t Drink, and Don’t Fish signs that are plastered around our waterfront are okay. What we considered acceptable changed. Our standards for our waterways shifted.
As individuals, we say that we value our water more than anything else, but our communities are constantly mistreating our waterways.
But the good news is, it’s not too late. If there’s strength in a single voice, there’s force as a community.
And by wearing three encircled icons – what we sometimes refer to as the three circles – I can show what I believe in. I can show my love for swimmable drinkable fishable water on my chest, my head, and even draped over my shoulder.
New additions to the Swim Drink Fish store and the tried and true standard T-shirt, are all now available while supplies last. Take a look!
The strength of the Swim Drink Fish community lies in those three circles. When branded on a piece of paper, plastered on your shopping bag, or stitched onto your shirt or winter toque, these three circles become a daily reminder. A reminder for you and for everyone who sees you wearing them: swimmable, drinkable, fishable water is possible. It’s our right. But it’s also our responsibility.
When you wear your Swim Drink Fish circles, you take an active step forward. You join the community of engaged and water literate citizens who help protect and preserve our natural waterways.
When you wear your Swim Drink Fish circles, you’re sharing the message; you’re supporting the community and helping it grow; and most importantly, you’re helping create change.
So go ahead – sport your Swim Drink Fish circles this winter and share the love.
All proceeds raised from Swim Drink Fish item purchases go directly towards Waterkeeper’s work towards swimmable, drinkable, fishable waters throughout Canada.