Losing Louisiana
Over the last century, the World’s sea level rose eight inches. Changes in coastlines have been particularly pronounced in Louisiana. Since 1900, over one million acres of the State’s coastal wetlands have been inundated and converted to open water, and the area of the State’s barrier islands has been reduced by one-third. Since the 1970s coastal retreat has become even more pronounced, with 90 percent of Louisiana’s shoreline now retreating at a rate of 12 meters a year.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: Burkett, Virginia, et al. Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the Southeastern United States. [Washington, DC] US Climate Change Science Program / US Global Change Research Program [2001] November 3, 2006 http://www.usgcrp.gov/usg.)
