Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2019-05-22

Duration: 00:56:56

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Environment | COASTAL EROSION | COASTAL RESTORATION | Climate change | Louisiana. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Moreau, Andre Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Tornqvist, Torbjorn Interviewee
• Haase, Bren Interviewee
• Boulet, Monique Interviewee
• Marceaux, Clair Hebert Speaker
• Lux, Travis Speaker
• Sanders, Matt Speaker
• Ramrakhiani, Hrilina Speaker
• Owens, Maida Speaker
• Jacobsen, Bob Speaker
• Mclindon, Chris Speaker
• Jindal, Selia Speaker
• Dix, Kendall Speaker
• Pittman, Garvin Speaker
• Lopez, John Speaker
• Vuxton, Emily Speaker
• Jackson, Torri Speaker
• Burkett, Virginia Panelist
• Haase, Bren Panelist
• Wendland, Tegan Panelist
• Forbes, Pat Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from May 22, 2019, features Andre Moreau leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on how coastal Louisiana is preparing for climate change. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Torbjorn Tornqvist of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University; Bren Haase, the executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA); and Monique Boulet, the CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission. The audience members then discuss their concerns about climate change and Louisiana’s coast. A panel of experts then joins the audience members to answer their questions. The panelists are: Dr. Virginia Burkett, a climate scientist with the United States Geological Survey (USGS); Bren Haase, the executive director of CPRA; Tegan Wendland, a coastal reporter with WWNO in New Orleans; and Pat Forbes, the executive director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development. They discuss: Louisiana’s preparations for dealing with climate change; how community groups and nonprofit organizations can help with the effort; improving our understanding of subsidence; educating the general public on the issues facing Louisiana’s coast; funding for the coastal master plan; shoreline protection projects; the role of insurance; resettling the residents of Isle de Jean Charles; the importance of preserving Louisiana’s traditional cultures; working collaboratively; the most vulnerable areas of the coast; concerns about increased storm intensity; their advice for local officials as they plan for the future of coastal communities; the importance of removing politics from decision-making; and the status of the watershed initiative. This program is made possible in part through funding from WNET and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Andre Moreau