Airs Sunday, June 2, 2019, at 6 p.m. Louisiana’s coast is experiencing the fastest rate of relative sea level rise in the world, impacting more than two million of its residents. The state has also faced two of America’s most destructive storms - Hurricanes Rita and Katrina -that permanently destroyed miles of shoreline and barrier islands.
Louisiana’s energy sector supplies more than 16 percent of America’s oil and five percent of its natural gas. Global climate change and rising seas will significantly contribute to the deterioration of the coast, and Louisiana’s reliance on extractive industries complicates finding solutions.
Many scientists argue we are nearing a tipping point to save the coast, which demands “connecting the dots,” significant investment and a change in priorities. Louisiana Public Square, in partnership with public radio station WWNO, brings together coastal stakeholders, NGOs, researchers and industry leaders to explore strategies that reduce coastal land loss and protect lives on “Sinking Louisiana” tonight at 7pm on LPB and in New Orleans on WLAE.
Our panelists are:
• Dr. Virginia Burkett, U.S. Geological Survey
• Pat Forbes, Louisiana Office of Community Development
• Bren Haase, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
• Tegan Wendland, WWNO public radio
The program features interviews with Torbjorn Tornqvist, a professor with Tulane's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Monique Boulet, CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission and Bren Haase, Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. LPB CEO, Beth Courtney, and LPB news anchor, Andre’ Moreau, host the program.