How to Plan for Inevitable Disaster
On the Media
Deep Dive
Why do New Orleanians have a different perspective on natural disasters compared to other places?
New Orleanians live with the constant awareness of existential risk, knowing that every hurricane season could be their last. This leads to a more honest and frank approach to disaster planning.
How do New Orleanians prepare for hurricanes?
They maintain fully stocked pantries, have gallons of water, whole-house generators for those who can afford them, and evacuation plans. They also track every cyclone advisory and have 'go bags' ready without needing reminders.
What is the Coastal Master Plan in New Orleans?
It is a $50 billion, 50-year plan to mitigate Louisiana's severe coastal land loss through projects like river diversion, creating new land, and implementing various mitigation efforts. It renews every five years.
Why are some Gulf fishermen opposed to the Coastal Master Plan?
They fear that diverting the Mississippi River water into the marshes will drastically alter the fisheries they rely on for their livelihoods, even though their homes are at risk from sea level rise and hurricanes.
What is the psychological impact of accepting a city's finite lifespan?
Accepting the mortality of a city can focus thinking, prioritize values, and foster a stronger commitment to the life of the place, leading to more robust civic engagement despite the shared sense of peril.
How does New Orleans' approach to climate change differ from other cities?
New Orleanians are more aware of their specific risks, such as knowing their elevation above sea level and flood risk maps. This awareness is bracing and leads to more proactive planning and civic engagement.
What is the significance of the 'spaghetti models' in hurricane tracking?
Spaghetti models are projections of different modeling agencies' predictions of a storm's path, overlaid on a map to show various possible routes, helping to predict where a hurricane might go.
Why does the Coastal Master Plan face political challenges?
The plan is threatened by opposition from Gulf fishing communities and Governor Jeff Landry, who prioritizes the livelihoods of these communities over the broader population's safety and the oil and gas industry's support.
What does the example of New Orleans suggest about the balance between hope and despair in climate change discussions?
New Orleans shows that accepting the finite nature of a city's life doesn't lead to despair but rather to a commitment to improve the place and withstand pressures, challenging the binary of hope and despair in U.S. activist circles.
- New Orleanians live with a frank acceptance of existential risk from hurricanes.
- Proactive disaster preparedness is common, including stocked pantries, generators, and detailed evacuation plans.
- Local news and amateur experts play a significant role in tracking storms and disseminating information.
- The city's unique approach stems from a deep-seated understanding that every hurricane season could be the last.
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