FORA.tv Environment Season 1 Episode 18 Bottled and Sold: Our Obsession with Bottled Water

Bottled and Sold: Our Obsession with Bottled Water is the 18th episode of the first season of the FORA.tv Environment series. In this episode, the focus is on the ever-growing obsession with bottled water and the impact it has on our planet. Hosted by environmentalist Peter Gleick, the episode explores the history and business of the bottled water industry and the consequences of our dependence on plastic water bottles.

Through interviews with experts in the field and footage from around the world, Bottled and Sold delves into the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the global bottled water industry. The episode highlights how this seemingly innocent product has become a symbol of our throwaway culture, where convenience and perceived health benefits come at a significant cost.

The episode begins with an exploration of the origins of bottled water and how it became such a global phenomenon. Gleick interviews Elizabeth Royte, the author of Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It, who provides insights into the marketing tactics employed by the bottled water industry to promote their products. She explains how the images of pristine mountain springs and crystal-clear water streams used in advertising campaigns have convinced people that bottled water is somehow better than tap water.

But the reality is far from the marketing hype. In fact, as Gleick discovers through interviews with water experts, bottled water is often no safer or cleaner than tap water. The episode also highlights the social justice implications of the bottled water industry, exposing how the commercialization of water has led to communities, particularly in the global South, being denied access to their own water sources.

Through compelling footage shot in Ghana and parts of India, Gleick explores the devastating impact that the global bottled water industry has on the environment. The show uncovers how the production, transportation, and disposal of plastic wastes from water bottles contribute to carbon emissions, pollution, and the degradation of our oceans.

The episode offers a balanced view on the issue of bottled water, providing perspectives from individuals on both sides of the debate. Gleick interviews representatives from the bottled water industry who argue that their products offer choice and convenience to consumers and that they are working to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.

Overall, Bottled and Sold: Our Obsession with Bottled Water, is an eye-opening examination of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the bottled water industry. It highlights the need for more sustainable solutions, including improved access to clean water and reduced dependence on plastic water bottles. This episode of FORA.tv Environment will leave you with plenty to think about concerning your relationship with water and the planet.