On a late fall afternoon on the western edge of the Netherlands, coastal engineer Marcel Stive stands atop a 40-foot dune. He stares out beyond the posse of wet-suit-clad surfers wading into the breakers of the North Sea. Where the surfers see inviting waves, Stive sees dry land—and a distant storm. He points south toward Rotterdam, Europe's busiest port. Arm outstretched, Stive rotates 180 degrees to face the shoreline running north. "As far as you can see, in both directions, we're going to push the coast out 3, maybe 4, kilometers," he says. "We have to—to keep the water out."On a late fall afternoon on the western edge of the Netherlands, coastal engineer... more
The young activists of NY2NO are inspired by the Australian Aboriginal Activist, Lila Watson, who said,
If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.
This piece is inspired by the work of NY2NO.
The New York 2 New Orleans Coalition (NY2NO) is a youth-led, consensus-based organization made to create a network of young people who are interested in organizing and mobilizing across New York City. NY2NO works in solidarity with those most affected by the social, racial, and economic inequalities in both New York and New Orleans. Through this, the youth breaks down barriers and works together to combat racism and classism and move towards an egalitarian society.
If you would like to participate or donate to NY2NO, please contact: www.NY2NO.orgThe young activists of NY2NO are inspired by the Australian Aboriginal Activist, Lila... more
Conversation with the filmmakers and stars of Trouble the Water, Winner of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize. A dramatic look into the real stories of New Orleans residents who battled Hurricane Katrina's deadly floodwaters, journeyed across post-disaster stumbling blocks, and seized a chance for a new beginning. Moderator: Judith Bell, President, PolicyLink Panelists include Danny Glover, Tia Lessin, Carl Deal, Kimberly Roberts, and Scott Roberts.Conversation with the filmmakers and stars of Trouble the Water, Winner of the 2008... more
Danny Glover on post-Katrina New Orleans and the new film "Trouble the water".
More information about "Trouble the Water" can be found at http://www.troublethewaterfilm.comDanny Glover on post-Katrina New Orleans and the new film "Trouble the water".
More... more
The theatrical trailer for the Sundance Grand Prize-winning documentary TROUBLE THE WATER. Directed and produced by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal and featuring Kimberly Rivers Roberts and Scott Roberts. Executive producers Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover. Opens in New York and L.A. on August 22 with a nationwide release to follow. For more information visit http://www.troublethewaterfilm.comThe theatrical trailer for the Sundance Grand Prize-winning documentary TROUBLE THE... more
Mark Schleifstein: Lack of commitment to public infrastructure to blame for Katrina flooding.
Mark Schleifstein, co-author with John McQuaid of "Path of Destruction", has worked at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans since 1984. His reporting during and after Hurricane Katrina was among the newspaper's stories honored with 2006 Pulitzer Prizes for Public Service and Breaking News Reporting and the George Polk Award for Metropolitan Reporting.
NOTE: This is a segment of a live show webcast on Sept 1st.Mark Schleifstein: Lack of commitment to public infrastructure to blame for Katrina... more
An unlicensed contractor, hired by the US Army Corps of Engineers, used newspaper to patch Louisiana floodwall joints instead of using the appropriate material, "sponge rubber". See article/video for details.An unlicensed contractor, hired by the US Army Corps of Engineers, used newspaper to... more
Few people understand what really happened in New Orleans or what caused it. Fewer still realize that they too may be living under a similar or an even greater threat. This video exposes the key myths and misunderstandings about the New Orleans flood.
http://www.levees.orgFew people understand what really happened in New Orleans or what caused it. Fewer... more
Its not everyday that a story literally shows up on your front doorsteps. Check out what's happening with New Orlean's Infrastructure nearly three years after Katrina.
How can you tell if the infrastructure in New Orleans is sound? Should what the Army Corps of Engineers does be taken as final fact and truth? Should they be critiqued? Ever?
See how New Orleans residents are feeling about their relationship with the government agency responsible for keeping them safe.Its not everyday that a story literally shows up on your front doorsteps. Check out... more
Its not everyday that a story literally shows up on your front doorsteps. Check out what's happening with New Orlean's Infrastructure nearly three years after Katrina.
How can you tell if the infrastructure in New Orleans is sound? Should what the Army Corps of Engineers does be taken as final fact and truth? Should they be critiqued? Ever???
See how New Orleans residents are feeling about their relationship with the government agency responsible for keeping them safe. Its not everyday that a story literally shows up on your front doorsteps. Check out... more
The levees have been breached by the overwhelming floods in Iowa and Missouri. Both states have experienced severe storms and are scrambling to get ample resources to prevent further damages.The levees have been breached by the overwhelming floods in Iowa and Missouri. Both... more
The swollen Mississippi River ran over the top of a levee near Meyer, Illinois, on Wednesday, adding to misery for flood-weary residents.
In an effort to protect businesses, water supplies and valuable farmland, volunteers and national guard troops are helping to reinforce or raise levees on both sides of the Mississippi River.The swollen Mississippi River ran over the top of a levee near Meyer, Illinois, on... more
Water spilled over two levees on the Mississippi River on Wednesday, surging into west-central Illinois, covering fertile farmland and pushing residents from their homes, officials said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Mississippi Valley said water flowed over the top of one levee, but local officials had a different account, reporting that the levee -- near Meyer, Illinois -- breached in two places about 6:20 a.m., pouring water into Hancock and Adams counties.
"It's kind of a sad day," said Sheriff John Jefferson of Hancock County. "People put in a lot of manpower [to build up the levees] and all was lost."
The floodwaters will cover thousands of acres of farmland from Warsaw to Quincy -- about a 25-mile stretch of the river.
Water spilled over two levees on the Mississippi River on Wednesday, surging into... more
A federal judge in New Orleans dismissed a class action lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers over the failure of the city's levee system during Hurricane Katrina's floods in 2005.
US Judge Stanwood Duval ruled that the Corps, which designed and built the levees and floodwalls meant to keep the below-sea-level city from being inundated, was shielded by a 1928 law that protects the federal government from lawsuits over flood control projects.
In his ruling, Duval scolded the agency for "its failure to accomplish what was its task."
"Millions of dollars were squandered in building a levee system ... which was known to be inadequate by the Corps' own calculations," Duval wrote in his ruling, issued in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.A federal judge in New Orleans dismissed a class action lawsuit against the US Army... more
A big storm is approaching the Netherlands, my home country. The Dutch have always lived with the challenges of the sea, and took measures to keep it from taking over. Have a look on the wikipedia page about the Deltaworks, a state of the art project that both keeps the Netherlands save from the sea and still takes into account the environmental impact of a dike and levee system.
The Dutch seem to have the coming storm under control, no panic necessary:
VCC Producer Jared Arsement takes us back to the New Orleans locations where he produced "Citizen Rescue" and gives an update on the city he loves.VCC Producer Jared Arsement takes us back to the New Orleans locations where he... more
