Climate Pioneers: The Story of Isle de Jean Charles and the Fight Against Rising Sea Levels
The sinking Louisiana town of Isle de Jean Charles has been in the spotlight recently as residents were forced to pack up and move to safer ground due to coastal erosion. This small strip of land, located about 40 miles away in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, has lost a staggering 98% of its land to rising sea levels. The residents, including Chris Brunet, a member of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe, made the difficult decision to leave their homes and move to higher ground in 2023.
For Brunet and his community, the decision to relocate was not an easy one. They had lived with high winds and tidal floods for years, but it was the erosion of their land that ultimately pushed them to make the move. The Gulf Coast region, where Isle de Jean Charles is located, has been experiencing unprecedented historical erosion, with south Louisiana bearing the brunt of the impact. Research has shown that decades of dredging of canals by the oil and gas industry have contributed to the loss of wetlands and altered the hydrology of the area.
The Army Corps of Engineers decided to leave Isle de Jean Charles out of a new levee system installed in 2022 to protect the rest of Terrebonne Parish, citing cost concerns. This decision was a turning point for the residents, who realized they had no choice but to leave their homes. The community, led by Chief Father Albert Naquin, applied for and won a $48.3 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund their relocation.
The process of relocating the residents of Isle de Jean Charles was complex and involved extensive consultations with the community. The state purchased 515 acres of rural land in Terrebonne Parish for the new settlement, where 120 homes, walking trails, a community center, and commercial spaces are being built. Residents were given a choice of house designs and signed forgivable mortgage agreements to facilitate the move.
Since August 2022, 34 families have already moved to the New Isle community, with more homes under construction. The relocation of the residents of Isle de Jean Charles serves as a poignant reminder of the impacts of climate change and the need for managed retreat in vulnerable areas. While the residents did not want to be labeled as climate refugees, they embraced the term “climate pioneers” to highlight their resilience and determination in the face of environmental challenges.
As the impacts of climate change become more severe, similar relocations may become necessary in other parts of the country. The Biden administration has already allocated funds to help tribes in Alaska and Washington relocate due to climate change-related risks. However, experts caution that each relocation is unique and must be approached with sensitivity to the cultural and emotional ties that communities have to their land.
For Chris Brunet and the residents of Isle de Jean Charles, the move to the New Isle community represents a new chapter in their lives. While the transition has been bittersweet, they remain hopeful for the future and continue to cherish the memories of their former home. The story of Isle de Jean Charles serves as a powerful example of resilience in the face of environmental challenges and the importance of community-led solutions to climate change.