The most important programme since Mr Bates

At Ocean Activist, we believe storytelling has the power to change how people see the world — and how they act within it.

That’s why we’re looking forward to the new Channel 4 series Dirty Business which shines a light on one of the most urgent environmental issues facing the UK today: the health of our rivers, seas and coastal communities.

For too long, sewage pollution and water mismanagement have been discussed in technical reports and policy papers, while the real human and environmental consequences remain out of sight. This series brings those consequences into focus, using drama to explore the impact of decisions made far from the waters they affect.

We want to applaud the writers and producers for taking on a story that demands courage, care and clarity. Tackling environmental harm through television is never easy, but doing so with intelligence and sensitivity is essential if wider audiences are to engage with the reality of what’s happening to our waterways.

The cast also deserve recognition for lending their talent to a subject that matters. By choosing to be part of this project, they help ensure that environmental damage is not treated as background noise, but as a central issue that affects health, livelihoods and the future of our oceans.

This series arrives at a critical moment. Public concern about water pollution is growing, trust is fragile, and the need for transparency and accountability has never been greater.

We welcome work that helps spark conversation, challenge complacency and remind us that clean water is not optional — it is fundamental.

This is the kind of storytelling our environment needs, and we look forward to seeing it reach a wide audience.