Letter from Paris, with love and sorrow: Why I came to the Climate Conference
We are nearing a tipping point — if we haven't already passed the point of no return.
Category
Environment
Levee board lawsuit against oil and gas alive and well, though moving slowly
The suit may have lost the spotlight but it still holds attention in the courts – and in politics.
To seek fed support, study projects economic cost of coastal loss
Continued coastal land loss in Louisiana could cost the economy tens of billions dollars a year.
Katrina helped usher in an acceptance and use of green infrastructure
Before the storm, ideas like “conservation” and “holistic planning” were about as Nu Awlins as grilled tofu and kale burgers. But having your home marinate in 5 feet of water can influence your thinking. Now, discussing and acting on water management ideas is as accepted as parking your car on the neutral ground during heavy thunderstorms.
BP settlement brings unprecedented money to coastal restoration efforts
Provisions in federal law and the $20.8 billion court agreement say that most of Louisiana's expected $8 billion influx has to be spent on restoration of environment. That allays long-held fears the big payday would set off a feeding frenzy among politicians for projects unrelated to the coast.
State coastal authority OKs two diversions, but construction unlikely for three years
Two other breaks in the levee farther downriver rejected because of lack of sediment.
Next governor must make evacuation planning the No. 1 coastal priority
The levees were reconstructed to shore up insurable property values, not to eliminate the threat to human life.
Details of BP settlement show oil spill caused trillions of marine wildlife deaths
Damages to natural resources amounted to $8.3 billion of $20.8 billion agreement.
Date set for final decision on construction of river diversion, as research continues
State coastal authority to decide whether to begin work on controversial method for building land.
Experts: Talk now about drastic changes, or deal with coastal crisis later
The mouth of the Mississippi River should be moved north and communities downriver eventually will have to be abandoned if other parts of southeast Louisiana are to have a future into the next century. Those were among the more startling recommendations proposed by the teams of coastal engineering and sustainability experts from around the world.
