Air Quality at Everglades National Park The park is affected by many sources of air pollution, including power plants, urban areas, agriculture, and industry. Pollutants from these sources can harm the park's natural and scenic resources such as surface waters, vegetation, birds, fish, and visibility.

The Everglades are currently at extreme risk due to a complex "triple threat" of water mismanagement, climate change, and invasive species. Historically, the "River of Grass" relied on a slow, shallow sheet of freshwater flowing south from Lake Okeechobee, but 20th-century drainage for agriculture and urban development diverted this flow, leading to severe droughts and nutrient pollution (specifically phosphorus from sugarcane farms). In 2026, sea-level rise is the most pressing climate threat, as saltwater intrusion kills freshwater vegetation and threatens the drinking water for millions of Floridians. Additionally, the ecosystem is being decimated by invasive species like the Burmese python, which has wiped out nearly 90% of native small mammals in some areas. Large-scale restoration projects like the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) are underway to "get the water right," but the balance remains delicate. This high-value ecosystem is not just a park; it is a vital carbon sink and a natural barrier against hurricanes, making its survival critical for the long-term habitability of South Florida.