—————————————————————————————————-
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Office of Coastal Management on Wednesday delivered the results of a science-based study on the inland boundary of the state’s coastal zone[…]
Grand Cayman, 18 August 2010 – The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has released the preliminary results of a study on the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) in the Caribbean. In releasing the results, CCRIF Chairman Milo Pearson indicated that they will “enable countries in the region to develop fact-based adaptation strategies that can be incorporated into national development plans to increase resilience against climate hazards.”[…]
This report was published in 2008. While there are problems with some of the assumptions, New Orleans is no better prepared today than in 2008 because none of the sociological factors have changed – denial is still the operative planning…
“Climate Change presents a national security threat that could undermine American interests at home and abroad. The effects of climate change are already degrading naval bases, drying up water resources, prompting mass migration[…]
NOAA State of the Climate 2009 – government master site The key finding of this report is that 2009 continues the warming trend, and that most of the additional heat is in the oceans. Greenland and Antarctica ice continues to recede.
Eaarth: Making Life on a Tough New Planet, Bill McKibben, Time Books (2010) First, my prejudice in reading this book – I was looking for a book to introduce law students to global warming and to the idea of adaption,…
Southern Louisiana is the most endangered land in the United States. Some risk is due to man made factors, but much of the risk is secondary to long-term geologic and weather cycles that have periodically raised and then inundated the…
Southern Louisiana is the most endangered land in the United States. Some risk is due to man made factors, but much of the risk is secondary to long-term geologic and weather cycles that have periodically raised and then inundated the United States well into the Midwest. The core threat to people and culture in Southern Louisiana is building on land that was already headed for inundation before there was any human intervention. Man has hastened the process, and, with levees, denied its existence.
This Blog will consider the factors affecting coastal areas including global warming. While due attention will be paid to short term issues such as evacuations and disaster response, the primary objective is to explore how man can retreat from endangered coastal areas in a orderly fashion. If such a retreat can be envisioned and enabled, then lives, money, and cultures can be saved. If not, pursuing current strategies of denial and patronage-driven public works projects will only assure that all three are lost.
Edward P. Richards, JD, MPP
Director, Program in Law, Science, and Public Health
Professor of Law
LSU Law Center
richards@lsu.edu
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu