Once clear, now clouded

I took this photo while hiking at Garibaldi Lake. At first, the view was breathtaking, but then I noticed algae covering the water surface. Rising temperatures accelerate algae growth, which can disrupt ecosystems and threaten water quality. My hiking buddies recalled how the lake used to be clearer and safe to drink with a filter. Seeing this change in-person made climate change feel even more real. Poor water quality affects not just the environment but also human health, increasing risks of illness and limiting access to clean drinking water, indicating that these changes have direct consequences on our well-being.