Panelists talked about the various natural and human-made issues impacting the Gulf Coast, including potential future disasters. U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt said that people should not live below sea-level due to “extreme events” and the gradual rise of sea level. In addition, the panel discussed potential vulnerabilities to hurricanes and other disasters due to loss in wetlands and degradation of ecological barriers. 
“The Gulf Coast: Diverse Converging Issues” was a plenary session of 13th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, titled “Disasters and Environment: Science, Preparedness, and Resilience,” held for three days in the Ronald Reagan Building by the National Council for Science and the Environment.