Blood and Oil: The Future of NOLA in Question?
September 1st, 2008This just in from my good friend and source Aaron Viles
NEW ORLEANS, La., Sept. 1 — As I type this Houma is getting hit by Hurricane Gustav, Baton Rouge is being pummeled, and Gulfport is dealing with some wind and high water. Most troubling though, is that New Orleans’ Upper Ninth Ward is beginning to flood as the Industrial Canal flood walls are over-topped.
So far the situation hasn’t become critical, as the flood-wall is holding. But I’m holding my breath.
If the flood-wall breaches, the long term future of NOLA could very well be in question. As I watch anxiously, I’m hit by how unnecessary this all is. If we had our coastal wetlands, if the oil companies and the Army Corps of Engineers hadn’t set the stage for our massive land loss, we would be far more secure. Levees alone are not enough. We need to restore our coastal lines of defense, our wetlands and cypress swamps.
Walter Williams has created a new video which captures our crisis, “Blood and Oil.” Take a break from your CNN/Weather Channel viewing and head over to YouTube and help us take advantage of this teachable moment.
Viles is with the non-profit Gulf Restoration Network. The group is asking people to take action to hold Shell accountable — as one of the largest operators in Louisiana, and the most visibly concerned about the coast, “they can help fund the actual restoration,” he said.
They are also requesting that people ask Senators Obama and John McCain to come to New Orleans and debate a sustainable city.
“We need them to take a break from their highly scripted campaigns and come take questions from real people about the real challenges facing our region,” he said.
Tags: Big Oil, Hurricane Gustav, New Orleans
