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Louisiana's coastal wetlands drowning
Credit: Water Alternatives Photos/Flickr

Louisiana's coastal wetlands face critical threat from rising sea levels

A recent study highlights the perilous state of Louisiana's coastal wetlands, with a majority facing "drowning" due to unprecedented sea level rise, posing significant risks to the region's natural defenses and ecosystem.

Brady Dennis and Chris Mooney report for The Washington Post.

In short:

  • Scientists have found that 87% of Louisiana's coastal wetlands are unable to keep pace with rapidly rising sea levels, significantly impacting their survival.
  • The state has already lost more than 2,000 square miles of wetland since 1932, exacerbating vulnerability to hurricanes and storm surges.
  • Efforts to restore coastal wetlands through extensive and costly projects are underway, but the natural progression of sea level rise presents a daunting challenge.

Key quote:

“The Earth is mostly ocean, and it’s becoming more ocean. That’s the bottom line.”

— Adam Langley, wetlands researcher and biology professor at Villanova University

Why this matters:

Louisiana's wetlands are crucial for protecting against storms, filtering pollutants, and supporting wildlife. Future sea level rise is notoriously difficult to predict, with myriad interconnected variables at play.

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Florida wetlands politics

Craig Pittman: Florida county’s swampy politics lead to bad decision on wetlands

Manatee County Commissioners listen to developer’s expert instead of actual wetlands scientist.

Suncor oilsands wetlands impacts

Suncor fires back at critics of wetland severing plan

Alberta Wilderness Association wants the oil giant’s Fort Hills expansion to be reconsidered, saying there’s no evidence it can mine half the area and leave the other unharmed. Drew Anderson reports forThe Narwhal.
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Suncor oilsands wetlands impacts

Suncor fires back at critics of wetland severing plan

Alberta Wilderness Association wants the oil giant’s Fort Hills expansion to be reconsidered, saying there’s no evidence it can mine half the area and leave the other unharmed.

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Lake Victoria sand miners prosper

As sand miners prosper in Uganda, a vital lake basin suffers

A near-constant demand for sand is exerting pressure on a wetland that’s home to locals and animals and feeds into Africa’s largest freshwater lake.

Doñana Spanish wetlands go dry

Their lagoons languishing, precious Spanish wetlands go dry

Flamingos, herons and fish once filled a freshwater lagoon in southern Spain. Today, it's a fetid brown splotch. The whisper of wind in the grass is a sad substitute for the cacophony of migratory birds.

Paving wetlands increases flood risks

Paving wetlands for Ontario housing will increase flood risks

Despite the devastation Hurricane Hazel wrought on Doug Ford’s own neighbourhood, his overhaul of Ontario’s housing policy weakens protections for flood-mitigating wetlands.

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