As a city planner, a Baton Rouge native, and a parent, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future of this place that I love. My goal is to build a safe, healthy community where all residents can thrive and newcomers can find plentiful opportunities. I want my kids and future grandkids to enjoy a vibrant, productive life in a strong and resilient city. I know that others share this vision, and if we are to achieve this future for the Baton Rouge region, we have to choose right now to work together to seize some big, exciting opportunities.
I recently met a resident of Marksville who after some years in D.C. returned to his hometown. Like so many others I have met throughout my work in Louisiana, he is bringing home a different perspective on quality of life, a can-do attitude, and what seems like endless energy to improve his hometown. So what is the appeal? I asked him this when we first met for a tour of the town. His answer wasn’t unfamiliar – in short: the quiet lifestyle and potential. I knew what he meant because it confirmed what I’ve been witnessing in central Louisiana: older communities with rich histories and good bones that are eager for revitalization.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to restrict the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon emissions. In a nutshell, the EPA no longer has the authority to mandate that energy companies shift to cleaner sources in order to cap carbon emissions. That responsibility now falls to Congress – a political body beholden to many interests other than understanding and curbing climate change effects.
In honor of National Bike Month, CPEX connected with Lynley Farris from Bike Baton Rouge to discuss the great work they are doing in our community and the importance of promoting bicycle and pedestrian access. Lynley was named President of Bike Baton Rouge in November 2021 -- the first woman to hold the position -- and she also contributes to our award-winning parks and greenways system as the publicity and marketing manager for BREC.
In his address to state leaders and agency executives at the Resilient Infrastructure Workshop held in March, Governor John Bel Edwards described the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a “once in a generation opportunity to realize a more resilient and equitable future by strengthening Louisiana’s built environment and positioning the state for future economic success,” and issued a call to take action, stating, “We all have a role to play, and we must rise to the occasion.”
Louisiana, this is an urgent moment. Our position on the front lines of climate change has never been more vulnerable, as the recent study from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change makes clear. We have limited time left to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve our planetary health so that our way of life on the Gulf Coast remains possible.
During another year marked with unprecedented challenges, we have accomplished so much, bringing vision, opportunity, and hope to communities throughout the state.
The Governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force met on October 9 and October 19, 2021 to take a broad look at industrial decarbonization methods of implementation and available tools, focusing heavily on challenges and benefits specific to Louisiana.