•Press Release Climate Change Environment
Washington, DC — “They’re trying to wash us away,” declared the song, Louisiana 1927. Since The Great Mississippi Flood in 1927, a complex ecosystem of resources and helpers evolved to protect and restore the coast of the Mississippi River delta that dominates Louisiana’s coast. Over the decades, some attempts to halt flooding did more harm than good. The demands of the area’s oil industry and shipping lanes have often overshadowed flooding or environmental concerns. Climate analyst Matt Sedlar describes the current groups of interconnected helpers and funders in a new report released today by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
These groups are grappling with repairing the harm done by previous attempts to hold back floods while addressing the latest challenges from climate change that could threaten the region more than the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with outcomes as disastrous as Katrina. The report concludes with recommendations for enhancing data collection, standardizing industry definitions, establishing workforce intermediary programs, advocating for good jobs, developing hybrid training programs, educating potential workers, and addressing long-term funding needs.
“While more data are necessary to assess employers and their needs better, the purpose of this report is to assist in preparing stakeholders for challenges to come,” said Sedlar.
