Coast + Environment

LSU and Louisiana lead the world in addressing pressing problems related to coastal land loss, sea level rise, and hurricanes. This is why LSU has 260 faculty actively working on coastal research. As a national Sea Grant university and through its extension services in every parish, LSU puts science to work for Louisiana communities.

Rendering of the future Newlab New Orleans

Newlab New Orleans Proves LSU’s Economic Development Power

Newlab’s move to Louisiana demonstrates the research and economic development power of LSU, said Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development.

Encore team

Transforming “Made in America” Using CO2

Highly efficient electrolyzers developed at LSU can transform CO2 into the basic building blocks we need to make carbon-based products such as sunglasses, detergents, clothing, medicines, and food. Even a grapefruit hard seltzer is planned for Tin Roof Brewing in Baton Rouge, which is set to reopen soon as a brewpub.

Photo illustration of flooded and hurricane-damaged houses

LSU Research Enables Better Flood Protection for Homes

For decades, Louisiana has been building homes to an elevation standard where 4 out of 10 are expected to flood at least once in 50 years. Shocked? Then you’re not alone, says LSU Professor Carol Friedland. She leads a team that just helped set a new, national elevation standard for construction.

Myron Lard

Meet Myron Lard: First to Investigate Soil Samples in Colfax, Louisiana, and East Palestine, Ohio

For the first time, Lard was able to make a new connection between environmentally persistent free radicals and cancer-causing dioxins using real-world samples.

More than half of Louisiana is considered a flood hazard area.

Calculating the Real Cost of Wind and Flood Risk in Louisiana

For the first time, research developed by LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Research and Education Center has provided Louisiana with a realistic annual cost of natural hazards in the state—$5 billion by 2050.

Eunice area farmer Michael Frugé with LSU AgCenter researchers Ida Wenefrida and Herry Utomo

Fighting Hunger and Disease, One Strain of Rice at a Time

The LSU AgCenter is Louisiana rice farmers’ MVP, or most valued partner, in research and crop variety development. From creating a new market for jasmine rice, to producing varieties of rice that are better for diabetics and more sustainable and resilient to changes in the environment, LSU has been critical to the Louisiana rice industry for more than 100 years.

Process technology students at River Parishes Community College

Partnering to Double Louisiana’s Energy Workforce

LSU’s energy team, called FUEL, works to help double the state’s current energy workforce, including by enabling Louisiana’s community and technical colleges to invest in people and programs that are closely aligned with industry needs.

Lee Stockwell

Securing Louisiana’s Energy Future

LSU petroleum engineering alumnus Lee Stockwell leads carbon capture and storage at Shell, shaping the nationwide development of one of the premier technologies for the ongoing transition toward energy sustainability for the world.

Col. Christian Patterson

Building Coastal Infrastructure for Communities and National Security

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the world’s largest engineering, design and construction management agencies. Its methods and tools are researched and developed by the Engineer Research and Development Center, commanded by LSU Manship School of Mass Communication alumnus Col. Christian Patterson.

CERA flood modeling for Hurricane Ian

LSU, State Meet Growing U.S. Demand for Storm Surge and Flood Predictions

With support from the Louisiana Legislature, LSU is increasing the capacity of one of its most in-demand tools to protect coastal communities from flooding and storm surge while adding operational relevance to the science that supports it.

Home in Houma, but at what price?

Making Homes More Resilient and Affordable

LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse partners with builders and policymakers to protect residents and lower insurance costs.

Wild pig mandala

LSU Develops Patent-Pending Bait to Fight the ‘Pigdemic’

Wild, invasive pigs cause more than $90 million in damage to Louisiana farms each year and pose a growing threat to the environment, people and other animals.

Using LiDAR to measure red mangrove prop root systems

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Taps LSU Coastal Experts to Protect Military Infrastructure

The benefits of coastal wetlands are widely documented, but as the threats posed by rising sea levels and other coastal hazards come into ever-sharper focus, these multitasking landscapes may become something more—protectors of the nation’s military infrastructure.

AI-generated art of a drone in a sugarcane field

LSU AgCenter Works to Give Sugarcane Farmers a Sweeter Deal Using AI, Drones

Ongoing LSU research collaborations with farmers across Louisiana is leveraging data science to grow more and better food and fiber despite great challenges.

AI-generated art of data streams in water

Better Storm Surge and Flood Predictions Enabled by AI

The LSU tool to predict storm surge and flooding during severe weather events—the CERA website—serves thousands of emergency managers and first responders to help protect people and infrastructure. Now, the tool will become even smarter and faster, thanks to artificial intelligence, or AI.