The Impact of Sugar Farming on the Environment in Florida: Protecting the Everglades without Negatively Affecting Jobs or Farmers

The Everglades, a unique and fragile ecosystem, is facing significant challenges due to the impact of sugar farming in Florida. Excessive nutrient runoff from sugar farms is leading to pollution, affecting both the environment and human populations. This article explores the impact of sugar farming on the Everglades, potential solutions, and the challenges in implementing these solutions.

Impact on the Environment

I. Nutrient Surplus and Water Quality

Sugar farming contributes to the excess of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous compounds, in the runoff compared to non-cultivated lands. These nutrients can lead to water turbidity and the displacement of native flora like sawgrass by invasive species such as cattails. The resultant increase in algae poses a threat to the native fauna that have adapted to the original environment. Additionally, this pollution can contaminate the drinking water sourced from the Everglades, impacting human health.

Keyword: Nutrient Surplus

Challenges and Solutions

### Reducing Fertilizer Use and Implementing Retention Ponds

B.

Cutting back on fertilizer use could reduce nutrient runoff and preserve the environment. However, it would also affect the sugar industry's productivity, which is heavily subsidized by the US government. A solution being explored is the conversion of some sugar cane fields into retention ponds to filter and slowly release the runoff back into the soil or by the plants. While this approach helps retain some nutrients, it is only partly effective as some farmland would be taken out of cultivation, and not all nutrients can be captured.

Keyword: Retention Ponds

Exploring Alternatives and Government Influence

### Cultivating Other Crops and the Role of Subsidies

- Another possible solution is to cultivate alternative crops, but the high subsidies for sugar farming make it economically unfeasible for sugar growers. The financial interests of large growers are closely tied to agricultural policies, which are influenced by significant campaign contributions to politicians. This political landscape makes it difficult to implement changes that could benefit the environment.

Keyword: Subsidies for Sugar

Conclusion

Protecting the Everglades from the harmful effects of sugar farming requires innovative and sustainable solutions. Whether through reduction in fertilizer use, implementing retention ponds, or exploring alternative crops, the key challenge is to find a way to balance environmental protection with the economic interests of the sugar industry and the politicians who support it. Public awareness and advocacy can play a crucial role in pushing for more sustainable practices in agriculture.

Keyword: Sustainable Agriculture