Louisiana's people and property fared better under Hurricane Gustav than had been feared, but acres of valuable wetlands were likely irrevocably destroyed. "The last thing on anyone's mind during a hurricane is how the wetlands are going to do," says activist Aaron Giles. But since happy and healthy wetlands act as storm barriers, "wetlands are a critical piece of keeping coastal Louisiana safe." Heavy storms toss around fauna in marshes and deposit saltwater where it ain't supposed to be. Louisiana's wetlands have been severely eroded by natural disaster and development; some estimates hold that healthier wetlands could have knocked Gustav's 12-foot tidal surge down by three feet. The hurricane shut down oil production in the Gulf of Mexico but caused no structural damage or spills on offshore platforms, leading President Bush to reiterate Tuesday, "This storm should not cause members of the Congress to say, 'Well, we don't need to address our energy independence.' We need more domestic energy. One place to find it is offshore America.''
sources:
source: USA Today, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, The Hill
see also, in Grist:Coverage of the Gustav-addled Republican National Convention
Cautious optimism for Copenhagen deal as Barcelona climate talks end
Another coal plant bites the dust
Barcelona outcome: White House strategy is plea for more time
Comments
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Delay And Deny Posted 12:34 pm
02 Sep 2008
The 2008 NHA Renewable Hydrogen Forum will provide everything you need to know about renewable energy and its essential link to the hydrogen production. Renewable and hydrogen industry experts from across the country and around the world will lead keynote and panel discussions on:
* Renewable Resources for Hydrogen Production: What resources do we need, and what is the capacity of hydrogen generation?
* Renewable Hydrogen Policy: What is our government doing, and what does it need to do, to ensure the viability of renewably-produced hydrogen?
* Infrastructure Development and Planning: Where and how will the roll-out of renewable hydrogen take place?
* Commercialization Projects: Where does renewably produced hydrogen already exist, and how is it bring used?
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Delay And Deny Posted 10:53 pm
02 Sep 2008
I saw another environmentalist on tv who said that the wetlands "protect" NOLA because they slow down the hurricane (wasn't clear on the mechanism).
Now you say they are harmed by the hurricane...which is it? I mean, what is the natural function of these wetlands...if they've been a barrier to hurricanes for...what? Millenia? Seems like they should be just ok after a simple dud like Gustav.
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JohnS Posted 4:05 am
03 Sep 2008
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