Louisiana Is Losing Land Fast

The shape of Louisiana is changing, and not for the better. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) is currently predicting a worst-case scenario that sees massive loss in our coastline over the next 50 years unless protective action is taken. Granted, this assumes sea level rise estimates are accurate, but the outlook isn't very good, regardless.

Louisiana has already lost more than 1,900 square miles since the 1930s, and we stand to lose another 2,250 to 4,120 by 2070. This isn't some wackadoo report cooked up by a bunch of tree-hugging hippie liberals, either. The CPRA is the single state entity with the authority to establish priorities and implement efforts to protect our coastline. It's Louisiana science being done by Louisiana scientists for the people of Louisiana. We should probably listen.

Here's what they're predicting we could lose over the next 50 years. The red bits represent land loss.

Let's zoom in a bit and look at Southwest Louisiana.

And now, Southeast Louisiana:

So what can we do? The CPRA's 2017 Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast outlines projects totaling approximately $50 billion that will help restore lost land and reduce further reduction, along with providing economic development for the area.

Considering how much the rest of the nation depends on the refineries and processing plants we have here in Louisiana, the loss of all the land upon which they currently operate would be devastating, not just to us residents of the Bayou State, but to the whole country. It's in everyone's best interests to protect our coastline - along with all the jobs and homes that go with it.

Besides, South Louisiana is pretty much what the rest of the world thinks of when they think of our great state, so it'd be a shame to lose so much of it over the next few decades. Especially since we live here.