Governor John Bel Edwards is in Scotland this week. LSU climate change policy expert Edward Richards says the governor’s appearance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference shows Louisiana is beginning to take climate change seriously.
“We have been historically openly, if not denying climate change, fairly skeptical. It goes with the history of this state as an oil and gas driven state,” said Richards.
Edwards says no other state in the country is more impacted by climate change than Louisiana. He’s interested in developing more green energy and that includes the possibility of wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We are not as favorable as off the Atlantic Coast, but it would be reasonable to have some development of these new industries,” said Richards.
Richards says it would be nice if Louisiana could attract green industries, something he believes the governor using his bully pulpit is hoping to do while in Scotland.
“Louisiana has been traditionally left out when it came to attracting international businesses like car manufacturers and the like, so I think he’s trying to make a fresh start,” said Richards.
The COP26 conference wraps up November 12th. Governor Edwards is expected to return to the state on Friday.
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