The Everglades Are Thirsty

When people think of water scarcity, they picture dusty villages in far off places, not the sprawling, subtropical wetlands of South Florida. But the truth is, even the Everglades, one of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the world, is fighting its own water crisis.

The Everglades once flowed freely from Lake Okeechobee all the way to the Florida Bay, covering over 3 million acres of land. It was a slow moving river of grass, thriving with life and naturally filtered freshwater across the state. Today, however, the natural flow has been dammed, redirected, polluted, and overused.

Here's what's happening:

• Altered water flow: Over development of the surrounding areas is redirecting the water flow of the naturally flowing systems, causing freshwater levels to drop.

• Saltwater intrusion: As freshwater levels drop, saltwater from the ocean is creeping inland, threatening drinking water and fragile ecosystems in South Florida.

• Nutrient pollution: Runoff from farms and urban areas leads to algae blooms and disrupts native plant species that help filter the water shed.

• Seasonal imbalances: The wetlands either flood too much or dry out too quickly, which are both harmful for the ecosystems in Florida.

Here's the kicker...when the Everglades loses water, so do we. Nearly 9 million Floridians depend on the Everglades for clean drinking water. Beyond being an environmental issue, it has not turned to a human issue.

This is our home. The place I grew up. Our ecosystem, people, and future is at risk.

Every drop matters. Let's make a change.

-Cypress