The TechKnow Chronicles II

One of the best parts about working on TechKnow is researching the stories that we make our episodes out of. This week, we’ve been hard at work putting together segments for an episode that will air on the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. There are a lot of topics than can be covered, from advancements in hurricane forecasting to the engineering behind re-building the levees. However, one story in struck me as both scientifically intriguing and emotionally inspiring.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, scientists and politicians, including former US Senator Mary Landrieu, went to the Netherlands to learn about techniques in water management. Because about one-third of the Netherlands is below sea level, they have a vast amount of experience dealing with overflowing water. Consequentially, the “Dutch Dialogues” were created, conferences in which scientists, architects, and engineers from the Netherlands meet with their American counterparts at Tulane University to discuss water management. 

I was struck by the story because with all the cynicism seen in the news today, it’s easy to overlook the incredible things that happen when countries work together.  With sea levels rising and climates changing every day, resource management will certainly be one of the fundamental issues my generation has to face. But with cooperation and innovation, these problems can turn into opportunities. New Orleans recently won an Environmental Planning Award for its’ Urban Water Plan, a blueprint for dealing with water management that is becoming a model nationwide. 

Another silver lining as a result of Katrina is the fact that New Orleans has seen an economic boom because of its new found expertise. When Hurricane Sandy hit the northeast, communities needed help re-building, and they knew where to turn. According to the Times-Picayune of Greater New Orleans, “The Greater New Orleans Inc. economic development group has tallied $327 million in Sandy rebuilding work where Louisiana architecture, construction, engineering and planning firms became prime contractors for state governments and the federal government. 

From New York City to Venice Beach, some of our greatest cities lie right on the water, and losing them to rising seas is clearly not an option. Confronting the challenge will take a sizeable amount of brain power, but there is a lot to learn if we just look around.

Check back next week as I continue to document life as a TechKnow apprentice