New Orleans is a magical city with resilient residents and a rich history, yet it is no stranger to extreme weather. In New Orleans, degradation is evident through coastal erosion, wetland loss, water pollution, and the impacts of climate change. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 further highlighted the consequences of environmental mismanagement and systemic inequality, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Hurricane Katrina flooded the gates of hurt, often ignored by policymakers, media, and the public. Individuals living in the poorest neighborhoods do not receive equal opportunities during disasters and rescues. There is no doubt that climate change catalyzed the effects of Katrina, and minorities have paid the price.
It is vital that, as students living in this wonderful city, we stay educated on our city’s roots and its resiliency. Getting involved and making a difference within your community is not too late. New Orleans is a prime example of environmental justice issues in the Gulf Coast Region. The city is deeply rooted in inequalities of race, class, and gender. It is located along the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, home to over 125 manufacturing companies, making it highly vulnerable to environmental degradation. Health problems were prevalent long before Hurricane Katrina struck, but when the storm hit, these existing inequalities were tragically exacerbated for the Black community.
Marginalized groups were overlooked and failed by the government. The hurricane’s aftermath exposed the deep inequalities within the city’s social and economic structures, leaving almost 2,000 dead and causing $125 billion in damages. The root of the problem lay in the failure of city planners and policymakers to adequately protect the poorest parts of New Orleans. The neglect seen was further evident in the evacuation strategies, which highlighted how those without transportation were unable to evacuate. The book Managing Hurricane Katrina: Lessons from a Megacrisis by Arjen Boin illustrates how people without transportation could not evacuate. One example of the chaotic government response occurred when thousands of survivors were stranded on Interstate 10. Boin writes, “Thousands of survivors were stranded on the main interstate (I-10), suffering from the heat, an acute shortage of supplies, and with nowhere to go” (Boin 10). This situation resulted from a successful search-and-rescue effort that brought people to higher ground but failed to provide further assistance. As a result, many were left in brutal heat for days without food, water, or medical care, reinforcing the perception of a government unable to handle a disaster like Katrina.
Although the effects of Hurricane Katrina are still visible today, communities continue to rebuild, demonstrating human resilience. It is crucial for New Orleans’ policymakers to acknowledge the city’s history and address the impact of institutional racism on the environment. Even in the midst of darkness, there is light when it comes to creating meaningful change. As a Tulane student, you are an active member of this city, giving you the responsibility to strive for progress. The first step in creating change is identifying the problem.
There are resources all throughout the city that highlight rebuilding a stronger New Orleans. For example, Jo Banner sheds insight into how we can better identify the problems that need to be addressed through the Descendents Project. This project advocates for the communities that lie at the intersectionality of discrimination and environmental degradation. The Descendents Project aims to protect the health, land, and lives of the Black community, challenging systems that exploit them and advocating for environmental justice. Volunteers are involved in interesting activities, from helping with community events and grant writing to researching local history. The Descendents Project is one of the numerous examples of projects promoting environmental justice.
On Tulane’s campus, junior Caroline Kinsey, President of Epsilon Eta—Tulane’s pre-professional environmental fraternity—explains how the fraternity is making a positive impact on the city. She states, “Epsilon Eta provides a space for students who are passionate about the environment to build community, collaborate, network, and take action together.
By offering professional development workshops tailored to the environmental field, opportunities to volunteer within the community to create local change, and hosting bonding events to foster friendships along the way, students gain the resources, skills, and community necessary for creating meaningful change.” Caroline highlights how Epsilon Eta serves as a resource for Tulane students interested in giving back to the city. This is just one example of the many student organizations at Tulane, where students are passionate about the environment and community service.
Don’t just sit back—take care of the beautiful city we are privileged to live in and fight for what is right!
Cover image from the podcast episode titled “Restoring New Orleans Wetlands After Hurricane Katrina” hosted by John Sheehan
About
Ella Cecil is from Newport Beach, California. She is a Senior at Tulane on the pre-law track majoring in psychology and minoring in spanish. She is very passionate about social justice and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, traveling, running, playing and listening to music, and eating great food!
Ella Cecil is from Newport Beach, California. She is a Senior at Tulane on the pre-law track majoring in psychology and minoring in spanish. She is very passionate about social justice and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, traveling, running, playing and listening to music, and eating great food!
