Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when simple photosynthetic organisms that live in the sea and freshwater grow out of control and produce toxic and/or harmful chemicals that harm land organisms, aquatic organisms, and ecosystems. The HABs in fresh and marine waters are usually very different, but they overlap in low salinity estuaries (places where rivers meet the sea). 

HABs have been reported across the world, and their occurrence is on the rise. HABs affect not only the health of people and marine ecosystems, but also the "health" of local and regional economies.   

The pollution of Lake Erie presents is a serious example of this problem. For years it has suffered from harmful algae blooms that pollute the water and harm the environment.  Local organizations have worked tirelessly to protect this lake which provides drinking water to half-a-million people.   In May of 2024 we organized this webinar to describe these efforts:

Webinar on "The Rights of Nature: Saving Lake Erie"

Speaker Sean Nestor, a grassroots organizer, reported on the work done by activists to secure for Lake Erie the "Rights of Nature", a legal instrument that would have enabled Lake Erie to have inherent rights and legally the same protection as people and corporations; that Lake Erie have legal rights to exist, thrive and regenerate. "Rights of Nature" is a new approach to governance being explored by several nations which is designed to overcome the pitfalls of relying on regulatory bodies for environmental protection.

Here's the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH3RUA-pma8&t=22s