Climate Photo of the Week
Loss of Mississippi Delta marshland is a threat to communities, and another long-term effect of our over-dependence on gas and oil -- by direct erosion from petroleum production and by sea level rise from burning of the fossil fuel.
Pointe Au Chien Indian Tribe Chairman Chucky Verdin points out the broadening channels, dead trees and open water which now dominate tribal land in the Mississippi Delta, which in his childhood was much more solid ground. The area shown is the edge of an ancient native ceremonial mound which is now being threatened by erosion from a widening channel. Loss of marshland in southern Louisiana and the danger to the tribal town itself is the greatest long-term problem for the Pointe Au Chien Indians, and it is being made worse by sea level rise.
This is also an issue of national energy choices, since a large part of the land erosion and subsidence is due to gas and oil pumping and a network of oil industry canals and pipelines which has cut the marsh to shards. The Delta is suffering an ongoing loss of land at a rate of about 40 square miles each year --more than 2 and a half acres an hour -- due also to changes made in the river flow, the recent series of hurricanes since Katrina, and natural subsidence and wave action. A photo story on the Pointe Au Chien community is part of our coverage of the Oil Spill and its implications.
Photo reports:
1. Crude streams from the well onto beaches
2. Oil on birds, marsh, beaches and peoples' lives
3. Oil on birds, marsh, beaches and people' lives 2
4. August: Oil remains while fishing resumes
5. August: Animals, birds, shrimping are affected
6. Indians Face Oil Spill
7.
Indians Face Oil Spill 2
Please see Climate News and Views.
World View of Global Warming is an independent documentary project by photojournalist Gary Braasch, now in its 11th year, presenting a comprehensive look at global warming science, the world wide effects of climate change, its implications, and what action is being taken about it. Braasch documents this change through science reporting and photography from the Arctic to Antarctica, from glaciers to the oceans. Rapid climate change is occurring now and its effects are fast becoming one of the prime events of the 21st century.
Every citizen of the world needs to be aware of rapid climate change:
1. Understand the problem, its causes and threats.
2. Let your leaders know the facts and that you expect them to act.
3. Do something today to reduce greenhouse gas output --
please Take Action
Locations documented since April 1999. Site updated January 2010. Text and photography Copyright © 2005 - 2010 by Gary Braasch. World View of Global Warming is funded by donations and grants. If you would like to contribute, please click HERE. |
Photographers' Perspectives on Global Warming October 14 - November 6, 2005 was shown at JW Gallery, Brooklyn. Posters from this exhibit are available. Please email your request. |
This project would be impossible without scientists and observers around the world who have provided hundreds of scientific contacts and papers. See Background, Advisors, and Reference for documentation, funders and major advisors, without whom I could not complete the work. This project is privately supported and I seek donations through Blue Earth Alliance.
World View of Global Warming is a project of the Blue Earth Alliance, Seattle Washington, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. The project is supported entirely by donations, grants, and license fees for the photographs. Information about how to contribute is on the Blue Earth web site, or contact Gary Braasch. Thank you.
For other information about Gary Braasch's climate change projects and books, please see the books Earth Under Fire and How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate, and the exhibit "Climate Change in Our World" (information to the right above on this page). Link to PDF version
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Photography and text Copyright © 2005 - 2010 (and before) Gary Braasch All rights reserved. Use of photographs in any manner without permission is prohibited by US copyright law. Photography is available for license to publications and other uses. Please contact requestinformation@worldviewofglobalwarming.org. View more of Gary Braasch's photography here.