Focus Earth Episode: Troubled Waters

This week, Focus Earth looks at the troubles facing our oceans?and rivers, lakes, and streams. All around the world, we are seeing dead zones, toxic runoff, and dying marine life. Fish supplies that once seemed inexhaustible are now in serious decline. Bob Woodruff investigates the most urgent issues in the water crisis, and their most promising solutions. From Indonesia to New York, Bob is connecting the dots on how banks and shores around the globe are all facing the same threats.

First, Bob Woodruff examines the world's most polluted waterways. He starts from the banks of Indonesia's longest river, also ranked as the world's most polluted river , and talks to activists working to clean it up. Then, he moves to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, basically a floating landfill larger than the size of Texas, to learn how debris that we haven't disposed of properly is now affecting marine life?and our own food chain. Then, to America's most polluted lake, New York's Onondaga Lake, the site of decades of sewage disposal and industrial discharge. It's going to take decades to clean up, but Bob speaks to the woman who has taken the lead in organizing community members working together to revive the lake.

Next, ride along the Hudson River with Bob Woodruff and Robert Kennedy, Jr. to learn about the Riverkeeper Alliance and its effort to hold Exxon accountable for its role in cleaning up the heavily polluted Newtown Creek. The Brooklyn waterway has been the site of an ongoing battle between neighborhood residents and the oil giant that spewed toxins into the air and water for years.

Then, Bob Woodruff looks at how unsustainable fishing practices are depleting the oceans of precious marine life. Stocks of fish like bluefin tuna, blue marlin, and Atlantic cod have almost disappeared, and if current trends continue, red snapper could be on their way to the same fate. Learn about some existing efforts designed to ensure this doesn't happen.

Finally, Focus Earth meets surfer-turned-activist Kelly Slater, a world surfing champion who for two years has been advocating to protect reefs, stop urban runoff and increase public access to beaches. Bob suits up to ride with Slater and talks to some of the inner-city kids who have come to watch Kelly compete. Our oceans are in crisis, but are not without hope.

Tune in to Focus Earth and learn about some of the ways to fix the problems facing our oceans and water.

Dive into Blue August for more on ocean and water issues.

Dig deeper into these issues
Waterways Around the World: Still Being Polluted, Still Not Being Cleaned Up
Score for the Oceans: Surfer Becomes Activist