How High Can You Build a Seawall?
Summary
Host Ben Bradford explores the limits of engineering against sea level rise, starting with a controversial study predicting New Orleans will eventually be submerged. He consults urban planner Jesse Keenan on why seawalls fail and how river diversions offer temporary relief. The episode then examines global relocation strategies, contrasting failed top-down moves in Manila with successful community-led efforts in Fiji. Finally, it discusses how rising insurance costs and proactive planning can guide the gradual retreat of coastal populations.
Topics discussed
Intro: Choiceology and the story of water
New Orleans sea level rise study findings
Public backlash and the limits of engineering
Broad implications for US coastal communities
Why stopping climate change isn't enough
The Dutch model and seawall limitations
Physical limits: building on sinking sand
Solution: Using the Mississippi River to build land
Political cancellation of Louisiana's land project
Hard vs soft limits and the need to move
Jola Ajabadi's childhood flooding in Lagos
Relocation strategies: The 'good luck' approach
The American buyout program and its flaws
Failed top-down relocation in Manila
Fiji's collaborative community relocation model
Scaling challenges for large cities
Market forces and insurance driving migration
Downsides of relying on price signals
A vision for gradual, community-led adaptation
Conclusion and show credits
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