[ABANDONED] Without a paddle

[The Union Empire]

Hello everyone! This is my first attempt to write an issue so feedback would be very much appreciated! I know it needs some work around validity and non-gendering as well. I've tried to see if something already exists like this and can't find anything, but of course I may have missed it! Here goes...

Headline: Without a paddle

Issue: Scientists throughout @@NAME@@ have been warning about the increasingly polluted state of the nation's lakes and rivers. Your secretary schedules some time for you to carefully and calmly examine the issue without disruption, so naturally your office is immediately flooded with belligerent advisors.

Option 1: Assisted by her greased wet-suit, wild swimming enthusiast @@RANDOMNAMEFEMALE@@ is the first to fight her way to your desk. "@@LEADER@@, it's becoming impossible to find a clean spot for a dip in all of @@NAME@@, and I know who is to blame! The water companies are flooding untreated waste directly into the environment, and nobody is doing a thing about it! Your government must flush out this malpractice immediately and force them to modernise the sewage infrastructure!".
Effect 1: @@NAME@@'s rivers are sparkling, but higher water bills cause quite a stink.

Option 2: "Let's not get potty eh?" winks @@RANDOMNAMEMALE@@, absurdly wealthy Chairman of @@NAME@@'s biggest water company, as he elbows the swimmer aside. "We can't punish business for the sake of a few ponds ha ha ha!" His smile vanishes. "Industry is already drowning in regulation and taxation, do you know how much it would cost to change the existing water network? And that cost would be passed on to, ahem, voters. You need to deregulate, for the sake of my sharehold- I mean, for the sake of bill-payers!".
Effect 2: Walking on water isn't impressive these days, but you'll ruin your shoes.

Option 3: "Did someone say "nationalise"?" says wild-eyed trade union secretary @@RANDOMNAMEMALE@@, who was in fact the only person to say "nationalise" when they asked if someone had said "nationalise". "Why pay for water at all, it's a basic human right! Have the government take back the water companies, and see costs go down as profits are reinvested into actually improving things!".
Effect 3: The bloated Waste department commits to greater efficiency for taxpayers.

Option 4: The space around your desk clears as inventor @@RANDOMNAMEFEMALE@@ slams a bucket of stinking @@NAME@@ water on your desk. "See here @@LEADER@@, once again science has the answer! Behold! If I add some of these patented nano-cells into this contaminated water, within moments it will be- umm, ahh..." she trails off as a rapidly corroding bucket spills sewage across your paperwork. "Not to worry! With a nice little stream of government funding we'll work out the kinks in no time!".
Effect 4: Swimmers flock to the sewers as pristine rivers develop quite an appetite for human skin.

[Candensia]

Hello, welcome to Got Issues. You've done well to recreate the general feel of an issue. You clearly possess some writing talent as well, which will be a great asset to you.

Unfortunately, this draft faces significant overlap with existing issues. The issue base is nearing 1500, and the topic of water pollution has been addressed in several issues, including #356, #599, and #641 among others.

As currently written, I don't think this draft is distinct enough to avoid these overlap concerns.

Because there are many facets to the topic of water pollution, it may be possible for you to carve out a niche issue with a more specific topic. For example, #356 is about sewage contamination, #599 is about fertilizer runoff, #641 examines how pollution effects the cognitive abilities of citizens, #1047 talks about dye pollution, and so on.

If you think there's a niche topic that hasn't been addressed, I'd suggest two things. First, look through the issues spoiler thread to make sure an issue on the topic doesn't already exist (google also helps.) You can also bounce ideas off of experienced veterans in The Writers' Block.

Second, when writing these environmentally-oriented issues, it is worth noting that the "pro-environment" vs "pro-industry" debate is somewhat overdone. In my opinion, modern environmental issues should try to avoid this format, if possible. Think of ways to twist the debate. For example, when examining dye pollution, #1047 presents a scenario where the "pro-industry" option is more eco-friendly than the "pro-natural" option.

Good Luck!

[The Union Empire]

Hello, welcome to Got Issues. You've done well to recreate the general feel of an issue. You clearly possess some writing talent as well, which will be a great asset to you.

Unfortunately, this draft faces significant overlap with existing issues. The issue base is nearing 1500, and the topic of water pollution has been addressed in several issues, including #356, #599, and #641 among others.

As currently written, I don't think this draft is distinct enough to avoid these overlap concerns.

Because there are many facets to the topic of water pollution, it may be possible for you to carve out a niche issue with a more specific topic. For example, #356 is about sewage contamination, #599 is about fertilizer runoff, #641 examines how pollution effects the cognitive abilities of citizens, #1047 talks about dye pollution, and so on.

If you think there's a niche topic that hasn't been addressed, I'd suggest two things. First, look through the issues spoiler thread to make sure an issue on the topic doesn't already exist (google also helps.) You can also bounce ideas off of experienced veterans in The Writers' Block.

Second, when writing these environmentally-oriented issues, it is worth noting that the "pro-environment" vs "pro-industry" debate is somewhat overdone. In my opinion, modern environmental issues should try to avoid this format, if possible. Think of ways to twist the debate. For example, when examining dye pollution, #1047 presents a scenario where the "pro-industry" option is more eco-friendly than the "pro-natural" option.

Good Luck!

That is incredibly helpful feedback- I didn’t know about the writers corner so I will take a look! I did my best to look into previous issues but I will try to make my best better!

I do have an idea for a different issue, I’ll put a lot more research into existing ones before moving on but I think I’ll struggle to make this distinct enough based on everything you’ve said and the other issues you’ve referenced.

But can I also thank you for the kindness of your reply, it’s very encouraging on a personal level so it’s left me feeling more determined to craft a good one rather than less! Thank you ☺️