The River Keepers Analysis by Cronin & Kennedy - Book Report/Review Example

Book analysis Hudson River had been an energy concern till 1960s when the waters were polluted. The local fishermenand shoreline residents acted on reinstating the river back to the old days. As they fight to restore the river, it turned to a battleground in the United States. Due to the drastic environmental battles, legislations were enhanced. In addition, many other organizations emerged that were to take up the responsibilities of maintaining the river clean. The book exposes organizations carelessness. It also shows the passion and the tenacity of the well-wishers who pursued to make their environment clean. Cronin, a commercial fisherman in the Hudson River, realized that the waters were extremely polluted and the possibility of fishing was almost impossible hence became an environmental activist. He founded Riverkeepers where he and Kennedy, chief attorney presented during prosecution, describe their experiences when they fought against environmental pollution. The Riverkeepers describes the lives of those who found the importance of maintaining the river due to the benefits they received from it. “The Blessing of the Fleet” which is the initial essay talks more of a fisherman from Provincetown, Portugal. His descendants portrayed as superstitious and irascible came in the 19th century to America. Wilkinson, the author of the book, describes boat construction and the connection between the fleets status and success. The fisherman enjoys the fleet’s quality. A yearly ritual and a practice is done to ensure the safety of the crew and the boats. Also, it is an indication of a prosperous year of fishing ahead. However, danger experiences may occur that may lead to loss of fishermen and their boats in the bays due to ocean swells. The experiences that John Cronin went through while monitoring the river are fully described. He was hired by Hudson fisherman’s association where he acts as a pilot of ‘Riverkeeper’ twenty five foot vessel. His main purpose was finding out the companies that dumped materials in the Hudson River and polluted it and produce evidence. He also kept records on fish spawning and noticed the general condition of the river. In order to retain the Hudson’s river beauty, two advocates were in a position to challenge some influential and powerful corporate and government polluters. In relation to the course materials and lecture materials, the book also enlightens us on how to fight for our essential rights and enjoy the natural resources. It challenges the modern generation to rise against acts that are pollutant to the environment. Cronin and Kennedy shows that once engaged to activities that advocates for a clean environment, there is joy in it. The Hudson River’s condition is tainted with hospital wastes that contaminates and destroys the aquaculture. Cronin and Kennedy in a dramatic manner describe confrontations with the environmental law breakers. The book creates awareness in need of protecting the environment. It cautions Americans on actions that destroys the environment especially by prominent corporates and congressional leaders. The authors of the book recount their massive legal and political battles with the powerful and resourceful corporate and politicians. Confrontations entailed public-relations struggles with the polluters of one of the most famous America’s rivers. Cronin was the head attorney while Kennedy was the chief prosecuting attorney affiliated to the Hudson Riverkeeper group. The book authors recount their massive political and legal battles with the resourceful and powerful politicians and corporates. The confrontations consisted of struggles in public relations with the major Americas Rivers polluters. Cronin, head attorney and Kennedy, chief prosecuting attorney, were in the Hudson’s river group where they made battles that inspire many generations and artists in America such as Thomas Cole, John Burroughs, and Theodore Roosevelt. Due to massive pollution, swimming was also prohibited in the 1960s. The actions of the activists enabled the formation of powerful environmental groups in America. In 1983, the organization was made. In restoring normalcy, we should follow some of the examples of the author’s efforts. The polluters contributed to more than a half billion dollars to compensate for the losses they had caused once the group filed lawsuits close to a hundred against them. This money was then used in restoring the river’s beauty. The authors also describe their enemies as numerous, unscrupulous, and well-funded (Cronin & Kennedy, 1997). These included Exxon and General Electric who represented anti-environmental groups in the history of America. The book enables readers to counter ideologies about environment. To begin with, the authors advocate and support actions at local levels in order to create interest and attention of the society’s local members. It acts as a motivator to local leaders in order for them to act in protecting the natural resources. This is similar to the documentaries and course discussion in class. They also recommend environmentalism as a method of traditional industries preservation such as fishery and are not anti-growth. In order to prevent long-term desolation of the society by firms that pursue short-term strategies and objectives actions should be put in place. Additionally, environmentalism is demonstrated as the finest struggle against special interest groups whose intentions are excluding, monopolizing and liquidating the available natural resources for their personal gains and for cash. Cronin formulated different ideas over the challenges that deal with environmental crisis. He believed that policies in the days were old fashioned and failed to meet the society requirements in particular around Hudson River. Classic policies enforcement that did advocate for reconstruction of the environment was perilous especially in the formulation of elaborate control measures. The modern activists’ actions were basically founded by these activists’ actions. Their actions also led to modern environmental movements both at local and societal levels. The advancement in the contemporary society advocates for actions to dealing with current political, environmental wrangles and are more hostile. The Riverkeepers intention was to create a clean air and water environment thus their actual story outlines why they put effort in cleaning up the river. Their dreams were to living in a clean environment which is the peoples’ rights. Over decades, anti-environmental groups always raise alarm that by supporting the environment we are also eradicating poverty and promoting growth. However, the groups also are motivated by profits hence lack an insightful understanding. The American democracy allows citizens to safeguard and stand up for their livelihoods, their children, properties and their future which is what the Riverkeepers believed in being environmentalists. The book creates a sense of maintaining the environment which inspired me. It also showed the traditions and philosophy that resulted to environmental movement formation. It challenges Americans on protecting their natural resources, public lands and waterways. The book changes my life and makes me a better environmentalist. The book is also a reminder to Americans that anyone who pollutes the environment should be held responsible regardless of their status. Through litigation and local cooperation, the book acts as a guide to environmental activism. Change does not happen in a day, it takes time hence commitment is required from every citizen. Dedication leads to changes occurrence. With the successes, failures and strategies of the authors, encouraged me that passionate individuals achieve what they need when they merge and information provision by the neighbors. The passionate people who knew what they wanted made a great difference for the society due to a legal presentation that was good. In the early 1970s, over 2 million PCBs pounds were dumped into Hudson River by General Electric. Due to the pollution, warnings were sent not to eat fish from the river. The authors also acted on it since they benefited from the river fish products. The book also can be an adventure story since the authors give background information of their lives in order to help readers understand why they involved themselves to the issues and how they obtained the level they are in now. Works cited Cronin, J., & Kennedy, R. (1997). The riverkeepers. New York, NY: Scribner. Read More