President Donald Trump has spent years trying to solve algae outbreaks in Washington’s iconic Reflecting Pool with a series of fixes ranging from draining the water and repainting surfaces to applying hydrogen peroxide and deploying so-called “nanobubble ozone technology.” Yet the recurring green water problem points to something much larger than maintenance.

Environmental scientists have long warned that algae thrive when warm temperatures, nutrient pollution, and stagnant water combine. As climate change drives hotter summers and longer heat waves, conditions become increasingly favorable for algae blooms in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and waterways across the country.

Critics argue that while Trump focuses on treating the symptoms, many of his policies have supported expanded fossil fuel production and rolled back environmental protections that help address the root causes of warming temperatures and pollution. The result is a cycle where increasingly expensive technological fixes are used to combat environmental problems that continue to grow.

The green pond surrounding one of America’s most recognizable landmarks serves as a visible reminder that algae outbreaks are not simply an aesthetic issue. Across California and the Central Coast, harmful algal blooms have affected lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters, threatening wildlife, water quality, and public health.

The lesson is straightforward: technology can help manage algae, but it cannot fully compensate for rising temperatures and pollution entering our waterways. Until those underlying issues are addressed, the battle against green water will likely continue—whether at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool or here on the Central Coast.