The New York Times recently published our Journalist in Residence Dan Egan on the alarming environmental crisis surrounding Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. The article, titled “Toxic Algae Blooms Threaten Florida’s Largest Lake,” serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address nutrient pollution and its detrimental effects on water systems.
Lake Okeechobee, once a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, is now plagued by toxic algae blooms that pose significant risks to human health and the environment. These harmful blooms are fueled by a combination of factors, including phosphorus pollution from agricultural runoff, rising temperatures, and increased rainfall—all consequences of a changing climate. The consequences of these algae blooms reach far beyond the lake itself. Here, Egan highlights the devastating impacts on local communities, the fishing industry, and tourism in the region.