Saving Louisiana’s Coast: An Enormous Undertaking | Challenges, Uncertainties, and the Need for Action

by Rosa January 25, 2022

written by Rosa January 25, 2022

Saving Louisiana’s Coast: An Enormous Undertaking

The Problem: Coastal Erosion

Louisiana’s coastline is disappearing at an alarming rate, losing a football field of land every 48 minutes. This is due to a combination of factors, including rising sea levels caused by climate change and the extraction of oil and gas.

The Plan: The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan

The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan is an ambitious and expensive plan to save the state’s coastline. It involves pumping sand into sinking wetlands and diverting the Mississippi River to mimic nature’s process of building the delta. The plan has an estimated price tag of $50 billion.

Challenges and Uncertainties

One of the biggest challenges facing the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan is the uncertainty of whether there is enough sediment in the Mississippi River to rebuild the areas that need it. Dams up and down the river keep sediment from flowing downriver, and improved farming practices have cut back on the sediment load to begin with.

Another challenge is the complexity of the system. Rivers typically build deltas slowly in a random pattern of constantly shifting channels, islands, and sandbars. This makes it difficult to model and predict the effects of the plan on computers.

The Comparison to a “Moon Shot”

Brigadier General Peter Duke DeLuca, formerly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has compared the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan to a “moon shot.” However, he points out that the stakes are much higher in this case, as people’s homes and livelihoods are at risk.

The Need for Action

Despite the challenges, the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan is an essential undertaking. The state’s coastline is vital to its economy and its way of life. Without action, Louisiana will continue to lose land and its people will be forced to relocate.

The Importance of Science and Engineering

The success of the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan will depend on the expertise of scientists and engineers. They will need to develop new technologies and find innovative ways to rebuild the state’s coastline.

The Role of the Public

The public also has a role to play in saving Louisiana’s coast. By supporting the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan and by taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint, individuals can help to ensure the future of the state.

Additional Information:

The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan is the largest coastal restoration plan in the world.
The plan is expected to take 50 years to complete.
The plan is funded by a combination of state and federal funds.
The plan is supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, businesses, and environmental groups.

Rosa

Rosa is a distinguished software engineer whose passion for science and technology was kindled in her early childhood. Growing up in a household where academic curiosity was nurtured, Rosa was deeply influenced by her father, a dedicated physics professor. After long days at the university, her father would come home and engage Rosa in a world of scientific exploration, guiding her through various experiments and fostering a profound love for the intricacies of the physical world. From a young age, Rosa was captivated by the endless possibilities that science presented. She spent countless hours conducting experiments and learning the fundamental principles of physics. This early exposure to scientific inquiry not only honed her analytical skills but also instilled in her a relentless curiosity and a passion for problem-solving. Rosa's academic journey led her to pursue a degree in Computer Science, where she excelled in her studies, driven by the same enthusiasm that had characterized her childhood experiments. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university. Her academic achievements were marked by numerous accolades and scholarships, reflecting her dedication and exceptional talent in the field. In her professional career, Rosa has made significant contributions to the tech industry. She has worked for several leading technology companies, where she has been instrumental in developing innovative software solutions that have had a substantial impact on various sectors. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing complex algorithms, optimizing system performance, and ensuring the reliability and scalability of software applications. Beyond her technical prowess, Rosa is a strong advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She actively participates in mentorship programs, guiding young women who aspire to pursue careers in technology. Rosa believes in the power of education and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all, and she dedicates her time to speaking at conferences and workshops to inspire the next generation of female engineers. In her personal life, Rosa continues to embrace her scientific roots. She enjoys spending her free time experimenting with new technologies, reading scientific journals, and engaging in discussions about the future of technology. Rosa's journey from a curious child conducting experiments to a successful software engineer is a testament to the power of early exposure to science and the enduring influence of a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.