Australia Premier Calls Toxic Algae Bloom a Natural Disaster

South Australia's Premier, Peter Malinauskas, has declared a toxic algal bloom in the state's waters a "natural disaster." The bloom, which began in March and has grown to twice the size of Australia's capital territory, has killed over 400 marine species and is impacting local industries. While the federal government has provided A$14 million in assistance, it has not officially designated the event a natural disaster, a status typically reserved for events like cyclones or floods. The premier is advocating for this designation to unlock greater support, highlighting that while algal blooms are natural, their severity is exacerbated by climate change factors such as ocean warming and nutrient pollution.