Protecting Louisiana's coastal wetlands

• A unique ecosystem at risk
• Shell and America's WETLAND Campaign
• Watch the videos and discover more about wetlands

A unique ecosystem at risk

The unique ecosystem of the Louisiana Coast is disappearing at a rate of one football field every 38 minutes. If nothing is done, we could lose another 500 square miles of wetlands over the next 50 years. This is due to the unintended consequences of levees and dams that were built along the Mississippi River since the 1930's to protect cities from flooding and preserve the ports.

These projects starved the wetlands of the fresh water, sediments and nutrients they need to survive. As a result, the wetlands are sinking, the marshes are being exposed to saltwater influx, excessive nitrogen from farming in the central part of the US has created zones of hypoxia offshore and the dams have prevented the Mississippi delta from shifting.

The loss of Louisiana's wetlands has very serious ecological and economic implications. The coastline provides different habitats for hundreds of birds, fish and mammals, including several endangered species. Most marine species in the Gulf of Mexico spend part of their life cycle in these wetlands and more than 20 percent of the nation's fisheries catch comes from offshore Louisiana.

More than 25% of all oil and gas consumed in America comes across Louisiana’s shore by tanker, barge, or pipeline, and 80% of the nation’s offshore oil and gas travels through Louisiana’s wetlands.  The loss of these important wetlands and barrier islands threatens the sustainability of the oil and gas infrastructure along the coast.  That, in turn, places our nation’s economic and energy security at risk.

Shell and America's WETLAND Campaign

But it's not too late to save the seventh largest delta on earth and Shell is helping out because the welfare of our employees and the communities in which they live and work is fundamental to our approach to business. As World Sponsor of the America's WETLAND campaign, Shell is committed to raising awareness about the impact of the wetlands loss and supporting efforts to save coastal Louisiana.

Visit the America's Wetland Campaign's website - opens in new window - opens in a new window

Watch the videos and discover more about wetlands

Watch the videos with Dr. Twilley, Director of the Shell Coastal Environmental Modeling Laboratory at the Louisiana State University's School of the Coast and Environment.