Staying Afloat
LONDON, ENGLAND
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327 MILES
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PORTOBELLO
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Seemingly Beautiful - Jemma Ridley
During the pandemic, many people flocked to the seemingly beautiful water on the River Lea at Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes, east London. The area is a habitat for wildlife and provided a lifeline for Londoners who (re)discovered nature throughout lockdown. However, the riverbanks are plagued by plastic pollution and the water is full of an alarming level of raw sewage that drifts down river from a Thames Water plant.
In winter, the area is an idyllic location for walkers and rowers. Calm water reflects a dreamy winter light, and the air is tinged with the smell of wood burning coming from the canal boats. However, in summer 2021, people could be seen swimming during the July heatwave with little or no understanding of the health risks. Local environmental campaigners have been working hard to alert people not only to the pollution problem but also to the importance of protecting nesting birds and other wildlife.
As climate change affects global weather systems, cities like London are experiencing hotter and drier summers that are further impacted by urban heat which can make the capital 10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Access to nature is essential for good mental health but pollution and climate change are having a huge impact on how we interact with and abuse the natural world.
Location: The River Lea from bridge at Springfield Marina, Lee Valley Park, East London
During the pandemic, many people flocked to the seemingly beautiful water on the River Lea at Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes, east London. The area is a habitat for wildlife and provided a lifeline for Londoners who (re)discovered nature throughout lockdown. However, the riverbanks are plagued by plastic pollution and the water is full of an alarming level of raw sewage that drifts down river from a Thames Water plant.
In winter, the area is an idyllic location for walkers and rowers. Calm water reflects a dreamy winter light, and the air is tinged with the smell of wood burning coming from the canal boats. However, in summer 2021, people could be seen swimming during the July heatwave with little or no understanding of the health risks. Local environmental campaigners have been working hard to alert people not only to the pollution problem but also to the importance of protecting nesting birds and other wildlife.
As climate change affects global weather systems, cities like London are experiencing hotter and drier summers that are further impacted by urban heat which can make the capital 10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Access to nature is essential for good mental health but pollution and climate change are having a huge impact on how we interact with and abuse the natural world.
Location: The River Lea from bridge at Springfield Marina, Lee Valley Park, East London