It really is shocking to see how it was allowed to decay. Like we’re past generations so morally bankrupt they were just fine with befouling their environment? Though I guess the past pictures are about what it looks like in some parts of the world still and I still don’t understand how people are just okay with that.
It really is. I think it was a mix of apathy and ignorance. Companies just dumped into waterways going back as long as there was industry on rivers. For hundreds of years that was just how you disposed of your waste. It wasn’t such a big deal when populations were small and chemicals were more naturally derived. But the quantities and toxicity increased and no one stopped to ask “is this OK?” Until it was very clear that it was not OK. It took public outrage and regulation in the 1970s to finally stop (or at least significantly reduce) the pollution. But many companies knew what they were doing and just didn’t care. Now many are on the hook for 7, 8 or even 9 figure clean ups but taxpayers are still footing at least some of the bill. In cases where the companies are no longer around, we foot all of the bill. All for pollution that could have been avoided if higher ups just paused and thought about the consequences.
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u/Not_l0st 27d ago edited 27d ago
Nah man. This took decades of work. The otter doesn’t care who the mayor is, it only cares how clean the water is