Earth Day lands differently here. In New Orleans, residents don’t need reminders about the environment. They live with its consequences daily. Flooding is no longer seasonal; it’s expected. Heatwaves last longer. Insurance rates are pushing people out of their homes. And every year, the coastline slips further away.
Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of land about the size of Delaware. The state continues to lose 25 to 35 square miles of wetlands each year. The wetlands that are vanishing once held back floodwaters. Now, with less protection, our neighborhoods are left more exposed every year.
Communities in New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward experience this loss first. They’ve been flooded, ignored, and underserved for decades. They’ve also led the fight. When governments stall, people act. The Sankofa Wetland Park is a model for what environmental justice can look like when the work is rooted in community, not contracts. Urban farms, school gardens, and neighborhood compost programs continue to grow—despite limited support.
While these groups plant trees and clear canals, the state continues to permit industrial development along the river. Oil and gas companies have dredged over 10,000 miles of canals, accelerating wetland erosion by altering natural water flow. The damage is so severe that Chevron was recently ordered to pay $744 million in environmental damages caused by its drilling operations in southeast Louisiana.
Meanwhile, the ground beneath us continues to sink. In some parts of New Orleans East, the land is subsiding at over 1.5 inches per year, far exceeding citywide averages. This isn’t a slow-motion issue—it’s actively undermining homes, roads, and drainage systems right now.
The long-term outlook is bleak. Scientists warn that Louisiana could lose 75% of its coastal wetlands by 2070, pushing the region toward what they call “ecosystem collapse.” That collapse isn’t just about the loss of birds or trees. It’s about fisheries disappearing. It’s about storm surges reaching deeper into the city. It’s about entire communities being displaced.
Local advocacy groups are raising their voices. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade has been vocal about the state’s prioritization of fossil fuel industries over community welfare. In a recent statement, Executive Director Anne Rolfes emphasized the need to support small businesses and enforce environmental laws, stating, “We will not allow outsized mega polluters to take over our state. It’s not good for anyone who lives in and loves Louisiana.”
Similarly, RISE St. James, a faith-based grassroots organization, continues to combat the expansion of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish. Founder Sharon Lavigne, a 2021 Goldman Environmental Prize winner, has been instrumental in opposing projects like the proposed Formosa Plastics plant, highlighting the environmental and health risks posed to local communities.
Earth Day might trend once a year, but the people here deal with this reality every time it rains too hard. Awareness isn’t the problem, but action is. And unless those with power start following the lead of the people already doing the work, we’re going to keep losing ground, quite literally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much land has Louisiana lost due to coastal erosion?
Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of land since the 1930s—an area roughly the size of Delaware. The state continues to lose 25 to 35 square miles of wetlands each year, making it one of the fastest-eroding coastlines in the world.
What role do wetlands play in protecting New Orleans?
Wetlands act as natural barriers that absorb storm surges and reduce flooding. As they disappear, New Orleans becomes more vulnerable to hurricanes and heavy rain events. Coastal loss also threatens fisheries, water quality, and the region’s overall ecological balance.
Are oil and gas companies responsible for some of the wetland loss?
Yes. Oil and gas companies have dredged over 10,000 miles of canals through Louisiana’s marshlands, disrupting natural water flows and accelerating erosion. In 2025, Chevron was ordered to pay $744 million in environmental damages for destruction caused by its operations.
What is subsidence, and how does it affect New Orleans?
Subsidence is the gradual sinking of land. In New Orleans East, subsidence has been measured at rates over 1.5 inches per year, which increases flood risks and weakens infrastructure. It also compounds the impact of sea level rise.
What can be done to protect New Orleans from climate disaster?
Solutions include restoring wetlands, investing in green infrastructure, reducing fossil fuel development in coastal zones, and giving more power and funding to community-led initiatives. Local projects like the Sankofa Wetland Park show what effective, neighborhood-based environmental action can look like.
