Mike Tidwell asked a crowd of about 1,000 University students to bow their heads in silence to remember those affected by Hurricane Katrina on the eve of its fourth anniversary.”We are all New Orleanians … Lower Manhattan, 20 to 30 years from now will have to live behind levees due to global warming,” he said.Tidwell, author of “Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast,” spoke of the importance of coastal sustainability at the Honors College’s first convocation on Wednesday night.The real tragedy of Hurricane Katrina was it could have been prevented, Tidwell said. Tidwell predicted a hurricane to devastate the coastline in his book, which was published in 2003.Another problem is the media’s choice to blame the destruction of Louisiana’s coast on the levees breaking because it was easier for the people to understand at the time, he said.Tidwell discovered the Louisiana coastline by accident when traveling in 1999, he said. After speaking with southern Louisiana natives, he learned of the common fear of an emanate hurricane destroying the coastline.”I wrote [‘Bayou Farewell’] to warn … a society that realized what was happening and didn’t do anything about it,” he said. “A majority of the people outside this state think people shouldn’t live [in Louisiana]. If there is another Katrina, people will give up on South Louisiana.”The Honors College chose “Bayou Farewell” for the first convocation because the topic of coastal sustainability affects Louisiana’s economy, community and culture, said Honors College Dean Nancy Clark.The Honors College and the School of the Coast and Environment asked Tidwell to speak to students to bring the book and the environmental issues to life, she said.”We wanted students to be aware at the beginning of the year,” she said. “[Honors College] students are very highly motivated to stay in Louisiana and help the state.” Clark said.Robert Twilley, associate vice chancellor of research and economic development, felt Tidwell’s message of coastal stability would help energize students to become more active for the cause.”It is a very exciting challenge for people at LSU,” he said. “It is a hallmark that LSU has chosen to solve one of the most critical issues in Louisiana.—-Contact Kristen M’lissa Rowlett at [email protected]