Louisiana town faces climate crisis as hurricanes intensify

After decades of destructive storms, Lake Charles is grappling with the climate realities tied to its oil and gas-driven economy as its most iconic building, the Capital One Tower, was recently demolished.

Shannon Sims reports for The Guardian.

In short:

The Capital One Tower in Lake Charles, symbolizing the city's energy industry, was destroyed after years of storm damage.
Hurricane Laura in 2020 caused severe damage, accelerating climate migration as residents moved away from the hurricane-prone region.
As the city braces for future storms, residents increasingly see climate change as a driving force behind their economic and physical challenges.

Key quote:

“If I could go back in time and have Hurricane Laura never hit Lake Charles, I would do that. However, we are living in the world we are living in today.”

— Nic Hunter, mayor of Lake Charles

Why this matters:

Lake Charles shows how climate change is reshaping cities dependent on fossil fuels. As hurricanes intensify, other areas may face similar economic and environmental crises, forcing difficult choices on rebuilding and relocation.

www.theguardian.com

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Credit: jmattaikenjd2009/Pixabay

British Columbia's election may shift climate and Indigenous policies

British Columbia’s upcoming election presents voters with a choice between the BC NDP’s progressive approach to climate action and Indigenous rights and the BC Conservative Party’s climate denial and opposition to shared land use with First Nations.

Arno Kopecky reports for The Walrus.

Keep reading...Show less

Read the Full Article on

thewalrus.ca

Louisiana town faces climate crisis as hurricanes intensify

FEMA nears disaster fund crisis as hurricanes drain resources

Climate change is driving stronger hurricanes as cities remain unprepared

Floods and disinformation threaten Black voter turnout in the wake of Hurricane Helene

Hurricanes force some Floridians to face the impossible cost of evacuating

Oregon utility faces climate lawsuit for misleading customers

The fight to protect water in Fort Chipewyan grows urgent

British Columbia's election may shift climate and Indigenous policies

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.