Algal blooms a threat to drinking water, tourism and fishing
Summer in the Midwest welcomes longer days and awesome opportunities to enjoy nature surrounded by loved ones.
Unfortunately, summer also brings a stark visual reminder of how important it is to protect our water, especially with toxic algae blooms becoming more prevalent in Lake Erie in recent summers.
As a father of two children in this region, I care deeply about investing in clean water for recreation and health of both my family and neighbors in north central Ohio now and in the future.
Sen. Rob Portman shares my love for the Great Lakes and my concerns over the algae that threatens their health. As he said, “I’ve gone fishing in the Great Lakes every year for the past many years. I love the Great Lakes. I grew up — part of my childhood was on the Great Lakes, when I was a little kid fishing with my dad on the Great Lakes.
“You really can’t fish when the algal blooms come in because they’re so thick you literally can’t get a lure or bait through the algal blooms. And your boat has a tough time getting through it. This is a serious issue.”
He took action to protect our waters, building the bipartisan support needed to reauthorize and fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and we need his leadership now more than ever.
A recent report from the Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicated that the world could exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming within just the next two decades.
Climate change and summer will bring warmer waters to Ohio and algal blooms will continue posing threats not just for us to drink, as was the case of Toledo five years ago, but also to recreation, fisheries, and tourism.
Protecting the irreplaceable resource that Lake Erie represents will prove to be our legacy for generations to follow suit.
Portman’s track record as Great Lakes Task Force co-chair signals his commitment to address and combat major environmental issues that affect all of us.
Clean water for all is a universal right that depends on a strong and healthy democracy.
Like him, I believe environmental policies, practice and enforcement are stronger, more effective, and more equitable when the American public participates in decisions that ultimately maintain, protect, and restore our water resources.
I am asking the senator to hold a series of virtual town hall meetings to help involve a diverse range of constituents who are committed to protecting nature and people in setting an agenda for how to continue to protect the health of our lakes for everyone who depends on them.
Our future depends on it.
Francisco Ollervides is a father of two who lives in Morrow County. He is the director of the Ocean Climate Justice program at Ocean Conservancy.