Coast + Environment
LSU and Louisiana lead the world in addressing pressing problems related to coastal land loss, sea level rise, and hurricanes. This is why LSU has 260 faculty actively working on coastal research. As a national Sea Grant university and through its extension services in every parish, LSU puts science to work for Louisiana communities.
Calculating the Real Cost of Wind and Flood Risk in Louisiana
For the first time, research developed by LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Research and Education Center has provided Louisiana with a realistic annual cost of natural hazards in the state—$5 billion by 2050.
Fighting Hunger and Disease, One Strain of Rice at a Time
The LSU AgCenter is Louisiana rice farmers’ MVP, or most valued partner, in research and crop variety development. From creating a new market for jasmine rice, to producing varieties of rice that are better for diabetics and more sustainable and resilient to changes in the environment, LSU has been critical to the Louisiana rice industry for more than 100 years.
Partnering to Double Louisiana’s Energy Workforce
LSU’s energy team, called FUEL, works to help double the state’s current energy workforce, including by enabling Louisiana’s community and technical colleges to invest in people and programs that are closely aligned with industry needs.
Securing Louisiana’s Energy Future
LSU petroleum engineering alumnus Lee Stockwell leads carbon capture and storage at Shell, shaping the nationwide development of one of the premier technologies for the ongoing transition toward energy sustainability for the world.
Building Coastal Infrastructure for Communities and National Security
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the world’s largest engineering, design and construction management agencies. Its methods and tools are researched and developed by the Engineer Research and Development Center, commanded by LSU Manship School of Mass Communication alumnus Col. Christian Patterson.
LSU, State Meet Growing U.S. Demand for Storm Surge and Flood Predictions
With support from the Louisiana Legislature, LSU is increasing the capacity of one of its most in-demand tools to protect coastal communities from flooding and storm surge while adding operational relevance to the science that supports it.
Making Homes More Resilient and Affordable
LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse partners with builders and policymakers to protect residents and lower insurance costs.
LSU Develops Patent-Pending Bait to Fight the ‘Pigdemic’
Wild, invasive pigs cause more than $90 million in damage to Louisiana farms each year and pose a growing threat to the environment, people and other animals.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Taps LSU Coastal Experts to Protect Military Infrastructure
The benefits of coastal wetlands are widely documented, but as the threats posed by rising sea levels and other coastal hazards come into ever-sharper focus, these multitasking landscapes may become something more—protectors of the nation’s military infrastructure.
Better Storm Surge and Flood Predictions Enabled by AI
The LSU tool to predict storm surge and flooding during severe weather events—the CERA website—serves thousands of emergency managers and first responders to help protect people and infrastructure. Now, the tool will become even smarter and faster, thanks to artificial intelligence, or AI.
LSU AgCenter Works to Give Sugarcane Farmers a Sweeter Deal Using AI, Drones
Ongoing LSU research collaborations with farmers across Louisiana is leveraging data science to grow more and better food and fiber despite great challenges.
Cutting-Edge Technologies Safeguard Old and New Energy Sources
Merging multiple new technologies, LSU petroleum engineer and professor Jyotsna Sharma is collaborating with industry to make Louisiana’s oil and gas production safer and more sustainable.
“We Can Use Carbon Dioxide From the Air Instead of Fossil Fuels”
LSU chemical engineering student John “Cal” Hendershot develops solutions for Louisiana’s chemical companies, which are closely tied to oil and gas, to allow them to stay true to 2050 carbon neutrality commitments but remain operational and profitable along the way.
“I Fight Harder for This Place Because It Is So Unique”
Meet Traci Birch, assistant professor of architecture and managing director of the LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio, who works on large, interdisciplinary projects to help Louisiana communities protect themselves from flooding and environmental disasters.
Army Tapped LSU to Understand Deltaic Change, Future-Proof U.S. National Defense
When the U.S. Army needed to understand how climate change will affect the so-called “critical zone”—the thin land surface layer comprised of vegetation, soils, and sediments—to improve their own planning and secure people, equipment, and infrastructure, they turned to LSU.