   | |||||
  • Climate in the Gulf • The Report • For Teachers  • Overview • Slow the Change • Speed our Response  • Overview • Water Resources • Sea-Level Change • Human Perspectives |
|
Louisiana
As development and economic activity in coastal areas has increased, so too, has societal vulnerability to coastal hazards. Global climate change will likely exacerbate that vulnerability. The area south of New Orleans, which is highly developed for residential, industrial, and tourism uses, as well as the international seaports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which function as important transportation hubs, and other smaller docks are especially at risk. Much of the immediate coastal fringe of Louisiana is rural and not overly developed, but the low-lying areas face growing challenges from sea-level rise. Threats to coastal development and infrastructure due to global warming include the following:
More on Louisiana: Introduction | Climate Projections | Wetlands | Fisheries | Coastal Development | Freshwater Resources | Agriculture & Forestry | Human Health | LA Resources & Links Photo Credits: Brown Pelican - South Florida Water Management District. New Orleans Inner Harbor - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, M. Maple Chandeleur Islands - D. Reed |
|
 • Overview • Alabama • Florida • Louisiana • Mississippi • Texas  • Overview • Apalachicola Bay • Big Thicket • Everglades • Laguna Madre • Mississippi Delta | |
Accelerating sea-level rise will also increase storm surges, even if hurricanes and tropical storms do not become more intense. Thus, greater economic losses from storms, and higher repair and maintenance costs, such as the costs of maintaining port and industrial facilities or beach replenishment, must be expected in the future.
During major storms, storm surge heights of 3–6 feet could reach as far inland as the Westbank communities across the river from New Orleans if barrier islands and wetlands are lost as buffers. Existing storm protection measures could be rendered inadequate.
