DECADES OF MISMANAGEMENT: NEW ORLEANS AND NATURE COLLIDE

Intoxicated with a very narrow view of human production and human society (ie. "economics") the United States has diverted the Mississippi and basically destroyed the delta ecosystem by this measure. It did protect New Orleans and other settled areas but it is an effort that seems doomed to failure in the long run. Compounding this is the refusal of the United States government to adequately finance these public works.

Then there is the lack of investment in New Orleans dikes and other measures meant to protect the city form flooding. Will the dikes hold this time? I doubt it. I hope they do.

Of course the United States could embrace a huge rebuilding effort for New Orleans that embraces the entire community, not just investors, and businesspeople who hope to make a buck. The city could be substantially rebuilt in another place. It would be expensive and it would be a great way to provide domestic jobs. Of course resiting New Orleans will have to also deal with the diversion of the Mississippi.

With global warming we may see a New Orleans obliterated again and again. As the sea rises it will flood anyway. So will much of the United States coastal cities. Manhattan for example will also be gurgling soon for the very same reason. Or will New York City make a huge dike around Manhattan Island, or just Wall Street? If hurricanes really do wipe out New Orleans repeatedly, relocation remains an option for the state of Louisiana and the nation.