Sea Hero Jill Heinerth

 

Courtesy Jill Heinerth

Cave diver and filmmaker Jill Heinerth wants to remind us of one little fact: In a world where our bodies and our planet are mostly fluid, We Are Water isn’t just a catchy film title.

Tell us a little about We Are Water.

I have had the chance to swim inside the veins of Mother Earth, to see where water is sourced. But when I ask children where water comes from, they say “the tap.” We all need to know more about where water comes from, how we unintentionally pollute it and how we can better preserve it. The circulatory system of the planet is as important for our survival as the circulatory system in our bodies.

What results do you hope for?

Our situation is dire, but I would prefer to help people understand rather than scare them out of solution-oriented thinking. Small changes in daily behaviors can make a difference. I also want to bring attention to the global issue: When desperate people can’t get a safe drink to nourish their child, they will do almost anything. If we want to lessen conflict, we need to put a value on providing clean water for all.

How can divers make a difference?

We already have a great love affair with water — take a kid to a spring or the ocean and share your joy. Learn about your watershed — where does your water come from? When you understand the source, you will have a better sense of how to protect the resource.

What’s next for Jill Heinerth?

Next May, my husband and I are embarking on a 5,000-mile bicycle tour from Vancouver to Newfoundland to show people We Are Water, and to talk to them in schools, homes and service organizations. I hope people will see that we are just crazy enough to have something worth listening to.

Each Sea Hero featured in Scuba Diving will receive an Oris Diver’s Date watch (worth $1,595). At the end of the year, a panel of judges will select one overall winner, who will receive a $5,000 cash award from oris to further his/her work.