Rivers as living beings: Macfarlane's fight against the destruction of nature

Rivers as living beings: Macfarlane's fight against the destruction of nature

The impact of climate change on rivers and the question of whether rivers can be viewed as living beings are the focus of new studies and literary works. Robert Macfarlane addresses this in his recent story about the fascination and challenges of rivers worldwide. He travels to three major rivers: the Rio Los Cedros in Ecuador, the Ennore Creek in India, and the Mutehekau Ship in Canada, examining the environmental and social threats these waters face. According to his observation, people who have experience with natural rivers would likely answer “yes” to the question of whether rivers are living beings, a perspective that is challenged by experiences in heavily polluted and canalized rivers in Central Europe.

Macfarlane begins his journey at the sources of a small English river, which have almost dried up in the summer of 2022, and links his experiences to the global effects of climate change on waterways. The Po in Italy is an alarming example, which has almost dried up. The author shows the important role of rivers in the ecosystem and their historical influence on landscapes, which are, however, increasingly endangered by human intervention.

Threats to rivers worldwide

A central focus of Macfarlane is the challenges facing rivers. In Ecuador, the Rio Los Cedros is threatened by rampant mining. The country's constitution includes a right to the integrity and vitality of rivers, but international mining companies are putting pressure on these principles, endangering not only the rivers but also the surrounding landscape. Macfarlane documents the diverse life forms along the river and the dangers posed by mining.

In India, a river activist in Chennai is fighting to revitalize the city's heavily polluted rivers. The Cooum River in particular, which is used as a sewer, is a poor example of the state of urban waterways. The Ennore Creek is also in danger of being wiped off the map as an industrial cesspool. Chennai's traditional water retention system is increasingly struggling under the pressure of modern growth.

In the context of these threats, Macfarlane reflects on the impact of destruction on the poorest sections of the population, who are directly affected by pollution and declining water quality.

Climate change and aquatic biodiversity

While Macfarlane incorporates the literariness and drama of river travel, the theme of aquatic biodiversity is also illuminated through scientific studies. A research program in Switzerland is investigating the influence of warming on biological indices of water quality. Data from various biodiversity monitoring programs in Switzerland show that temperature changes influence species distribution and macroinvertebrate taxa in streams.

The study results suggest that at moderate warming, around 2°C, biological composition will not be greatly affected in the next few decades. This could mean that the measurement of water quality remains reliable as long as extreme heat events do not occur. The challenges that climate change poses to rivers and their ecosystems require a rethink and increased protection of waterways.

Overall, Macfarlane's journey and the accompanying scientific findings highlight the importance of rivers as essential elements of life on Earth and the urgent need to protect and revitalize these natural resources.