Louisiana’s Coastal Crisis: Extra Credit
On Monday, March 30th I attended a lecture on “Losing Ground: Louisiana’s Coastal Crisis” presented by journalist Bob Marshall. The lecture revolved around the growing issue of Louisiana’s coast disappearing due to global warming. Marshall outlined the effects it would have on Louisiana’s economy, political system, and environment as the land mass is decreasing. If the coast continues to decrease ½ of the refineries will be lost causing us to lose ½ of the gas supply in the United States. Since 1930, the loss of land mass has been exponentially increasing. This is because of dams being built, which have blocked nutrients and sediments from coming in. Louisiana has been losing 1 football field per 45 minutes. The environmental effects include 70% of migratory waterfowl, and 90% percent of gulf water species are estuaries dependent meaning they need water from the ocean and need to live in a smaller space which is currently being destroyed. Louisiana is the top domestic producer of oil and gas and 90% of the nation’s energy production comes through the coast. The Master Plan to protect the coast includes costing 50 billion dollars and 50 years until they can build new dams to control the water without blocking sediments. Marshall ended his lecture with the quote “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a tent with a mosquito” from the Dalai Lama. This quote symbolizes most people feel like there is nothing they can do about this issue besides provide money, but there is more than that just by spreading the word about the issue.
