Current Event #1

Jadah Scott

April 22,2019

Current Event presentation: Climate Justice, Digital Media and Gender in Louisiana

Article

Savage, Karen. 2019. “ New Orleans Sues Oil and Gas Companies for Wetland Damage”. Climate Liability News April 22, 2019, https://www.climateliabilitynews.org/2019/03/30/new-orleans-sues-oil-and-gas-companies-for-wetland-damage/

    The news article “ New Orleans Sues Oil and Gas Companies for Wetland Damage” discusses the steps that the city of New Orleans are taking to ensure that the eleven oil, gas and pipeline companies are held accountable for the harm they’ve caused the coastal wetlands. According to the article, the companies “foresaw” the effects that their industry would have on the coast, but proceeded anyway. The city is suing on grounds that the companies “failed to comply with coastal use permits”. The companies intertwined with the battle include “Apache Louisiana Minerals, Aspect Energy, Chaparral Energy, Chevron, Collins Pipeline Company, Entergy New Orleans, EOG Resources, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, Gulf South Pipeline Company, Southern Natural Gas, and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation”.(Savage 2019) According to U.S Geological Survey, the East Orleans Land Bridge area near Lake Borgne has lost approximately 5,470 acres of marshland since 1932 and the nearby Alligator Bend area has lost about 1,000 acres. Mayor LaToya Cantrell emphasizes the importance of coastal wetlands in protecting us from hurricanes and floods. The oil, pipeline, and gas companies create canals while moving heavy equipment through marshland allowing saltwater to seep in and infiltrate the sensitive ecosystem. The introduction of saltwater to the marshland causes destruction to the soil and root system that hold the coast together.

This article connects to one of our focuses on the Greater Gulf coast and the loss of wetlands. The actions taking place display a community showing resilience and fighting for the best interest of their homes. I wish the article included more insight from people whose homes and businesses are being affected by the loss of wetlands. A little insight on the city plans to restore the coast with the money they would gain from the suit would also be very informational and might give people a clearer picture of their intentions. I would introduce my friends to this article to get them updated on the state of our coast and what our city is doing about it.