OPINION:
Unfortunately, you did your readers a great disservice by not clearly identifying the reason that the Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana is gradually disappearing (“Residents of disappearing Louisiana isle refuse $50 million relocation plan: ’This is my paradise,’” Web, April 16). The article contains much talk about “global warming” and “rising sea levels,” when the fact of the matter appears to be that the land is subsiding, a common feature of many muddy islands around the world, well understood through science.
The only resident of the island quoted in the article referenced that the island is sinking. I don’t know what sinking has to do with “global warming,” so why did you let the reporter get away with acting as if a (non-existent) sea-level rise is responsible for the loss of dry land? Bring scientific facts if you are trying to tell the story of why the island is disappearing. If you’re not trying to tell that story, don’t throw in many, many words to make the reader think “global warming” has anything to do with it. Your readers deserve better.
THOMAS E. STICKFORD
Burke, Va.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.