resilience
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A broken census can’t keep up with climate migration in Louisiana
Four years after back-to-back hurricanes slammed Lake Charles, Louisiana, the city is still grappling with the long-term impact of population loss, complicating its recovery and future political representation.
In short:
- The 2020 hurricanes displaced nearly 7% of Lake Charles’ population, a loss that worsened due to inadequate tracking systems.
- The U.S. Census Bureau’s data collection was disrupted by the storms, invalidating much of the data gathered, complicating redistricting and resource distribution.
- The demographic shift deepened racial and economic divides, with wealthier, whiter areas recovering faster than poorer, predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Key quote:
“There’s no way the census, every 10 years, will be able to manage keeping up with the rapid population shifts that are already happening.”
— Daniel Aldrich, Northeastern University, professor of political science
Why this matters:
This isn’t just about a few people leaving town; it’s about whole communities being displaced, and the Census—the system meant to account for us all—might be missing the mark. Read more: Poor southerners are joining the globe’s climate migrants.
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Credit: Kandukuru Nagarjun/Flickr
Global South demands fairness in genetic data sharing amid growing biopiracy concerns
In a world where digital genetic information is becoming a billion-dollar business, countries rich in biodiversity are demanding their fair share of the profits.
In short:
- Multinationals are extracting genetic information from diverse organisms, often without compensating the countries where these organisms are found.
- A global agreement on sharing the benefits from digital genetic codes, called digital sequencing information (DSI), is under negotiation, with tensions running high.
- Countries in the Global South argue that they are being exploited while richer nations profit from their biodiversity without sharing the wealth.
Key quote:
“There will be a Cop decision and then after that, it’ll be up to everyone to play nicely and turn it into a resource mobilisation engine for looking after biodiversity.”
— Pierre du Plessis, Namibian negotiator at Cop15
Why this matters:
With the biodiversity summit in Colombia looming, there's hope that a groundbreaking agreement might finally address this tug-of-war over genetic resources. Countries rich in biodiversity, often in the Global South, argue that they should see a slice of the profits, not just for fairness but to fund conservation efforts crucial for preserving these ecosystems. Read more: The economics of biodiversity.
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Credit: Coconino National Forest, Ariz./Flickr
Forest policy debates could shape, but not shift, national forest management
As November’s election approaches, the battle over how we manage national forests heats up, but the day-to-day work in these forests is likely to stay on course.
In short:
- The Forest Service’s work, including logging and fire management, is expected to continue regardless of election outcomes.
- Major funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law will keep driving forest management projects, though future funding could be uncertain.
- The biggest policy divide may focus on protecting old-growth forests, with Democrats likely pushing for more conservation and Republicans favoring resource management.
Key quote:
“There isn’t much controversy over the need to do more to improve the health of the national forests.”
— Bill Imbergamo, executive director of the Federal Forest Resource Coalition
Why this matters:
No matter the outcome of this fall's elections, the U.S. Forest Service's operations will roll on, driven by its army of career employees, not political appointees. Emphasis on a fire-first approach exemplifies the challenge of balancing immediate threats with long-term forest health. Read more: The push for standing forest protections in US climate policy.
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Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
Houston’s struggle to help Katrina evacuees stands as cautionary tale
After Hurricane Katrina, Houston’s initial warm embrace of 200,000 evacuees turned cold as racial tensions and media-driven fears about crime escalated.
In short:
- Houston’s mayor initially led a praised effort to resettle thousands of Katrina evacuees, but soon faced backlash due to racial prejudices and crime concerns.
- Media narratives blaming evacuees for rising crime in Houston intensified, even though studies later showed minimal impact on crime rates.
- The experience highlights the challenges cities face when handling large-scale climate-driven migrations, exacerbated by racial tensions and media influence.
Key quote:
“The dynamics of race and ethnicity and apprehension toward immigrants drove largely antagonistic beliefs about the mostly poor, mostly black new arrivals.”
— Authors of a study that analyzed Houston’s response to Katrina.
Why this matters:
The story of Houston’s response to Katrina evacuees is a cautionary tale for future climate disasters, showing how quickly compassion can turn to hostility, especially when race and fear are involved. The politics of disaster recovery can turn ugly, transforming places of refuge into battlegrounds where the victims of one disaster are scapegoated for entirely different reasons. Read more: Poor southerners are joining the globe’s climate migrants.
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Healthy soil may be easier to detect by sound than by sight
Ever thought about listening to the soil under your feet? New research reveals that the sounds of soil-dwelling critters can indicate the health of the land, offering a new way to monitor and restore ecosystems.
In short:
- Ecoacoustics, the study of environmental sounds, can be used to monitor soil health by detecting the presence and diversity of underground organisms.
- Researchers found that soils with richer soundscapes, indicating more biodiversity, are healthier and less degraded.
- Scientists are exploring whether playing recordings of healthy soil sounds can aid in the restoration of degraded lands.
Key quote:
“You can actually use sound to listen to the soil, and get an indication of soil health, based on the little critters moving around.”
— Jake Robinson, microbial ecologist at Flinders University
Why this matters:
This method is groundbreaking, not just for the science community but for anyone concerned about the environment. Healthy soils are the bedrock of agriculture, climate stability, and even human health. Read more: Growing veggies in the city this year? You may want to check your soil.
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Helping trees migrate north might be essential for their survival
As climate change pushes species northward, trees are struggling to keep up, and some ecologists suggest human intervention might be the only way to save them.
In short:
- As global temperatures rise, tree species face increasing threats from heat and drought, struggling to keep pace with climate shifts.
- Ecologists are exploring “assisted migration,” moving tree species to cooler regions, a controversial strategy due to the risks of introducing non-native species.
- Some argue that doing nothing could be more harmful, as entire ecosystems might collapse without intervention.
Key quote:
“There is also risk in inaction. We have to balance the risk of doing things against losing these species from the ecosystem.”
— Sarah Dalrymple, conservation ecologist, Liverpool John Moores University.
Why this matters:
Assisted migration is a controversial move. Some argue that it's meddling with nature, while others see it as a necessary intervention to preserve our ecosystems. As the climate crisis intensifies, the debate over how best to protect forests is only growing. Read more: Carolyn Ramírez on forest protection.
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Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
Harris could redefine climate leadership in 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris' entry into the presidential race has ignited hope among environmentalists that her administration could push climate action further than President Biden’s, particularly by holding Big Oil accountable and addressing historic injustices.
In short:
- Harris has a history of challenging the oil industry and supporting environmental justice, making her a strong contender for advancing climate policies.
- Her choice of running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, strengthens her climate credentials, especially given his success in making Minnesota carbon-free by 2040.
- Despite skepticism from the Trump campaign, Harris’ focus on real-world benefits and her ability to communicate climate issues resonate with many voters.
Key quote:
She has a record of "making sure that Black and brown and low-income communities aren’t disproportionately impacted by corporate pollution."
— Kaniela Ing, national director of The Green New Deal Network
Why this matters:
While she’s likely to continue Biden's pragmatic approach, Kamala Harris's history as a prosecutor and a champion for justice could bring a fresh perspective to the fight against climate change. Read more: Robbie Parks on climate justice and mental health.
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