Erosion and Culture

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash INTRODUCTION On the Louisiana coast, erosion and flooding threaten survival of indigenous villages Pointe-au-Chien Isle de Jean Charles. Oil companies have submerged bayou cutting canals through land, causing erosion, saltwater intrusion, sea level rise.[1] Additionally, fuel these produce contributes to climate change, which causes an even greater rise in levels. The presence oil industry also hurts shrimp fish industries, are critical culture. Eventually, change will make coast uninhabitable.[2] Displacement has already begun Charles: there were 78 homes island 2002 but only 25 2012.[3] Some call it migration, implies intentional decision. reflects reality that people relocating as a last resort. can be more than just physical. People living environment is “drastically altered degraded” experience same stress risks those who physically relocated.[4] coastal tribes (Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indians) face uphill battle effort keep community members safe from without sacrificing culture so tied this land. However, moving place free disasters not necessarily safer for if destroys culture; therefore, we need redefine safety. In paper, I address plans currently underway solve problems explain steps take communities while preventing cultural loss. I. Current Perspectives There disagreements among scholars journalists how best approach displacement, forced migration caused Louisiana. Jake Bittle, author Great Displacement: Climate Change Next American Migration, thinks displacement inevitable should subsidize families risky places affordable flood insurance. Instead, United States focus helping relocate making easier dangerous locations find pay housing places.[5] While extinction devastates he accepts it. His proposed solutions protecting danger because hard avoid. He sees future unlivable such environmental circumstances force disperse. Others argue insurance near vital decide stay put their together long possible. High prices would displace locals regardless success restoration efforts.[6] Many residents agree. They pride being adaptable overcoming challenges. Resilience, ability respond maintain system identity function, important coast.[7] After Hurricane Katrina, many households kept what they home ready rebuild after storm.[8] changes becoming rapid. Storms floods become frequent severe until no longer livable. II. Approaches As attempt balance safety with holding together, crucial involved decision making. When governments use cost-benefit analysis where prioritize protection, often neglect underestimate downsides inland.[9] Working native groups understand priorities important. history relocation groups. 1830 Removal Act five Native Southeast move now Oklahoma. Charles result Indians escaping move. Forced removals violation human rights. removal 1800s death cruelty, was difficult thrive new displacement. We ensure nothing resembling occurs again. Migration must happen feel them. empowered choose path, government play pivotal role aiding adaptation relocation. agency dedicated issue displacement.[10] Currently, most funding comes specific disaster hurricane. less help facing gradual forms like rising levels erosion. Stafford Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance give Federal Management Agency (FEMA) deal “slow, ongoing climate-induced changes.”[11] legislation requires presidential declaration federal funds used toward recovery hazard mitigation efforts.[12] Much assistance available immediate threats suffering slow changes. support much towards assisting rebuilding. Government-assisted precedent. Franklin D. Roosevelt created Resettlement Administration, one public programs enacted during New Deal 1930s, relocated struggling neighborhoods planned government. Agencies apply principles whose lost FEMA started include possibility its plans, current process flaws. August 2022, Community-Driven Relocation Subcommittee led U.S. Department Interior. goal subcommittee connect want resources program voluntary supports or habitat unlivable. With said, does always meet communities’ needs. Project, example, chose site “lacked direct access water had sustained tribe generations.”[13] movement becomes necessary, difficult. some fear local allow newly uninhabited land tourism.[14] encouraging out sake increasing tourism show lack integrity, problem ulterior motives. needs dedicate tribal communities, either them way adapt changing landscape location. state expecting gone 2050, underwater that.[15] Whatever short term, eventually live. sooner start planning transition, smoother be. Continuously rebuilding storms puts strain our resources. live susceptible hurricanes, aid each family. worth value keeping together. unavoidable term. end alive transition space, tough due connection Certain overarching guidelines better chance both upholding staying fundamental principle self-determination, meaning freely develop own decisions about internal governance. It lead process. move, “right sanitary housing, potable water, education, other basic amenities.”[16] Managing listens minimize loss, makes threat strong attachment village, resettlement hurt community. spent years developing skills knowledge specifically live, tailored fishing shrimping practices.[17] At point, obligatory, lose culture, collaboration between lessen alternative wide resettlement, could individual looking place. For affected available. Tax credits starting mortgages cities provide post-disaster aid.[18] More vouchers rent states. Expanding major create attractive option leave coast. This solution drawbacks, city stark difference town shock. still beneficial conditions CONCLUSION assist combating chosen way. now, Isles out. inevitable. finding somewhere temperate environment, protected seas, fresh water.[19] Any program, whether governmental nonprofits, allows continue traditional practices alive. Also, adjust cannot us forget serious efforts reduce emissions ways sequester carbon atmosphere reverse change. sum, loss “wicked problem,” complex unclear solutions.[20] Families vulnerable destruction, losing nearly insurmountable task. forward let guiding voice. - [1] Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, “The Impacts Coastal Erosion Tribal Cultural Heritage,” Forum Journal 29, no. 4 (Summer 2015): 60, muse.jhu.edu/article/587542. [2] Anya Groner, “When Place You Live Becomes Unlivable,” Atlantic, October 13, 2021, https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/10/when-place-you-live-becomes-unlivable/620374/. [3] Julie Koppel Maldonado et al., Impact Communities US: Displacement, Relocation, Human Rights,” Indigenous Peoples States, ed. Maldonado, Benedict Colombi, Rajul Pandya (Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2014), 98. [4] “A Multiple Knowledge Approach Adaptation Environmental Change: Lessons Learned Louisiana's Communities,” Political Ecology 21, 1 (2014): 70, https://doi.org/10.2458/v21i1.21125. [5] (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2023), 282. [6] Kevin Fox Gotham, “Coastal Restoration Contested Terrain: Economy Risk Reduction Louisiana,” Sociological 31, S1 (September 2016): 800, https://doi.org/10.1111/socf.1227. [7] Fikret Berkes, “Environmental Governance Anthropocene? Social-Ecological Systems, Collaborative Learning,” Sustainability 9, no.7 (2017): 5, https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071232. [8] Jessica R.Z. Simms, “‘Why Would Anyplace Else?’: Sense Place, Possibilities Research 33, 2 (March 2017): 413, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44161446. [9] “Multiple Approach,” 73. [10] “Displacement, 100. [11] 101. [12] Robin Bronen, “Climate-induced Community Relocations: Creating Adaptive Framework Based Rights Doctrine,” N.Y.U. Review Law Social 35 (2011): 366. [13] 133. [14] [15] [16] 103. [17] Else?’” 413. [18] 280. [19] 274. [20] Horst W. Rittel “Dilemmas General Theory Planning,” Policy Sciences (1973): 155-169, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405730.