Personal memory by Megan Orlanski
2018 • Naples, FL, USA
I remember a few years ago when my mother and I visited Naples, FL. That weekend, the beaches on the West coast of Florida were experiencing a Red Tide, which is a harmful algal bloom. You couldn't visit the beach because the fumes were really bad, particularly because the fumes also killed fish and shellfish in the water. The toxins can also produce respiratory issues for mammals and can fatally harm birds by eroding their feathers. I know that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of these Tides, especially since their occurrence has a lot to do with hurricane winds that pick up and move the algae over wider areas. With hurricanes becoming more and more common, and stronger, I'm worried about the wildlife that is seriously harmed by these Red Tides.
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