Is it true that Louisiana is in greater danger from global climate change than other coastal states?
TWILLEY: Global climate change represents a greater risk for southern Louisiana than anyplace else in the nation. Because of the sedimentary composition of our deltaic plain, deeper regions of our marshes are sinking at the same time that the sea level is rising. So Louisiana can expect a combined, or relative, sea-level rise of at least 15 inches in the next 100 years — and up to 44 inches in some places. There’s been a 2-inch relative sea-level rise in some regions over the last 10 years, which, given the flat slope of the coast, has put millions of dollars of taxpayer and corporate investments at risk because of the potential loss of infrastructure. WATERMARKS: Does the private sector recognize the financial threat of sea-level rise in Louisiana? TWILLEY: For the most part, the private sector can certainly appreciate the nature of the problem; it is a matter of whether they are willing to pay the costs inherent in the risks. But risk assessment is certainly familiar territory to the
