In Louisiana’s Coastal Zone, the water management sector – which includes coastal restoration, coastal protection and urban water management – is now the fastest growing industry, driving economic expansion and eclipsing the oil and gas sector in creating new jobs, according to a recent study by the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition using research by The Data Center.
Water offers Louisianians nearly unlimited economic potential; but, in contrast, it poses a major threat to our coast, and the people and wildlife that call south Louisiana home. This is why coastal restoration is imperative for our vanishing coast – not only as protection against storm surge, but also to preserve the estuaries that produce 25% of American seafood, habitat for the 100 million birds that pass through the Mississippi River Delta each year, and home of nearly 2 million people living in or near the delta.
Coastal restoration and protection is not only the biggest jobs creator in coastal Louisiana, it has some of the highest-paying jobs, averaging $69,277 per year.
Almost half of the world’s workers, about 1.5 billion people, work in water-related sectors. And nearly all other jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery.
Every year, the United Nations sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. This year’s theme is “Water and Jobs.” It focuses on how the quantity and quality of water can change workers’ lives and livelihoods and even transform societies and economies for the better.
Photo of coastal oil rig in Louisiana by Storm Cunningham.
See RESTORE’s full report on the growth of water-related jobs in Louisiana. (PDF)