Dr. Beverly Wright recalls the powerful, hard-hitting conversations, systemic climate challenges, and the collective strength driving real community resilience that she encountered at New York Climate Week 2026.

Dr. Beverly Wright reflects on the growing climate risks facing coastal Louisiana, where sea-level rise, land subsidence, and rapid wetland loss are reshaping the region’s future. For New Orleans, the stakes extend beyond infrastructure and flood protection. They include the preservation of Black communities, neighborhood connections, and a cultural identity rooted in place. As the region continues investing in restoration, resilience, and adaptation, Dr. Wright asks a critical question: how can these efforts protect both people and the communities that make New Orleans what it is?