Louisiana’s coast is sinking. Advocates say the governor is undermining efforts to save it.

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1. For the past decade, Louisiana’s program for [coastal protection](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/new-orleans-sea-level-hurricane-wetlands/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2) has been hailed as one of the best in the country, after the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed the state to shore up coastlines, repair levees and protect natural habitats.

   But now, environmental advocates and experts say the state’s new Republican governor is undermining its coastal protection agency — the state’s first and strongest line of defense against climate change-induced sea level rise. In an [open letter](https://mississippiriverdelta.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/75/files//Sign-On-Letter-Coast-2024-Storm-Season_Finalv3-1.pdf) published this week and signed by more than 200 business leaders, environmental advocates and other experts, various groups warned against Gov. Jeff Landry’s plans to transform the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

   “The very future of our state is at stake,” the letter read.

   Environmentalists say that the new governor’s actions could hobble the agency just as its work is most needed. The moves come as other right-leaning states are also cutting back on climate goals and even references to climate change. This month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) [signed a bill erasing](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/05/15/florida-law-climate-change-desantis-energy/?itid=lk_inline_manual_7) most mentions of climate change from state law. DeSantis is also poised to nullify the state’s targets for [100 percent renewable energy](https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2024/05/23/florida-clean-energy-goals-climate-change-desantis-wilton-simpson-renewable/) by 2050.

   Read more here: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/05/25/louisiana-coastal-protection-agency-landry/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/05/25/louisiana-coastal-protection-agency-landry/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)