Approaching the Louisiana coast, Tropical Storm Barry will soon retest the folly of building a large city at the mouth of North America's largest river system, half below sea level and dependent on the protection of pumps and levees. Up to 20 inches of rain is expected in some areas and the Mississippi River is already in flood stage.
Of course, New Orleans is not the only coastal American city to bloom around an early seafaring port but one would think that we have learned our lesson over the past 500 years. Long enamored with the beauty and utility of rivers and the ocean, we humans can no longer fold up our tents or move to a higher cave when threatened by high water. Even in the face of rising sea levels and destructive annual floods, many U.S. cities and towns stand their ground, determined to rebuild (with Federal assistance assured).
While port facilities and historic structures cannot or should not be moved, it is time for humans to abandon floodplains and high risk coastal areas. If we do not initiate the process (while also doing what we can to mitigate global warming), nature will force our hand.
Of course, New Orleans is not the only coastal American city to bloom around an early seafaring port but one would think that we have learned our lesson over the past 500 years. Long enamored with the beauty and utility of rivers and the ocean, we humans can no longer fold up our tents or move to a higher cave when threatened by high water. Even in the face of rising sea levels and destructive annual floods, many U.S. cities and towns stand their ground, determined to rebuild (with Federal assistance assured).
While port facilities and historic structures cannot or should not be moved, it is time for humans to abandon floodplains and high risk coastal areas. If we do not initiate the process (while also doing what we can to mitigate global warming), nature will force our hand.
