The Fragile Gulf

Just as important as fixing the artificial barriers will be replacing the natural ones: the protective wetlands that have been stripped away from the city's perimeter. In 2000, federal and state officials initiated proposals to spend $14 billion over the next 30 years for wetlands restoration along the Gulf Coast. But Congress balked at the initial outlay of $1.9 billion, and only $540 million has so far been allocated. As for measures to combat global warming, the Bush Administration has consistently resisted any legislation or global treaty that would hurt the energy industry or require sacrifices from American motorists. In the face of the lives lost last week and the billions of dollars it will cost to rebuild the devastated cities and ports, those policies seem tragically shortsighted. --With reporting by Daren Fonda/ New York and David Thigpen/ Chicago