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It seems like every few weeks—sometimes even more frequently—we hear about another environmental crisis threatening our planet. The combination of climate change and human-caused environmental degradation creates an overwhelming sense of doom.
There is widespread consensus that our climate is shifting and will produce consequences we can barely foresee. Similarly, the activities of seven billion people are destroying the natural world at an accelerating rate unlike anything seen before.
That’s why it came as welcome news to read the latest annual report from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. The organization reported that beaches across our major metropolitan area have reached unprecedented levels of cleanliness and safety for swimming and recreation.
As longtime residents of this region, we find it remarkable that M Street Beach and City Point Beach in South Boston consistently rank as the cleanest—though we’re confident there’s a scientific explanation for their perfect 100-percent ratings over the past six years.
The encouraging trend extends beyond just these two beaches. From Nantasket Beach in the South Shore to the beaches in Revere and Winthrop to the north, nearly all metropolitan beaches showed improvement in 2018 compared to their six-year averages. Winthrop Beach, for instance, achieved a 100-percent rating in 2018, up from a 97-percent average over the previous five years.
Water quality depends on numerous factors. Natural conditions matter, particularly rainfall patterns throughout a season. Equally important is the commitment of state and local government agencies to maintaining properly functioning sewer systems.
Individual actions also matter significantly. We contribute to clean water by properly disposing of trash and hazardous materials, using pump-out services for boats, and cleaning up after our pets.
Three decades of dedicated work, investment, and commitment by officials and residents throughout the Boston Metro area have produced the clean, healthy beaches we enjoy today. Yet we cannot become complacent. Moving forward, we must remain dedicated to protecting our region’s most valuable asset—our pristine coastline—for ourselves and future generations. We are grateful to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for their annual report and for delivering some positive environmental news for once.