The energy and fishing industries in the Gulf of Mexico need to prepare now for threats posed by climate change, according to a new report, and that's smart advice.
The report, written by three LSU scientists for the Center for Climate and Energy Solution
The energy and fishing industries in the Gulf of Mexico need to prepare now for threats posed by climate change, according to a new report, and that's smart advice.
The report, written by three LSU scientists for the Center for Climate and Energy Solution, points out that the oil industry already experiences losses from hurricanes. They destroy 2 to 4 percent of platforms in their paths and damage 3 to 6 percent more, according to recent studies. But that risk is likely to increase as warmer water temperatures spawn more intense storms.
Some companies are taking that into account by building stronger platforms or budgeting for losses, the report notes. That is a smart approach. Moving vital infrastructure farther inland would be another way to adapt, it said.
But the report also outlines other consequences for the energy sector. A warmer world will mean higher demand for air-conditioning, for example. That might point to a need to build more power plants, but the report encourages a greater emphasis on alternative energy sources and conservation.
As for the fishing industry, stronger storms clearly threaten docks and fish processing facilities, and the report says that building stronger marinas and boathouses could save millions. Moving processing 