Ribbon-Cutting the Sea Wall
Officials and developers stage environmental responsibility as a photo-op, proudly selling an expensive man-made fix for a danger their own project worsened by eliminating the original natural defense.
At the grand opening of a luxury coastal development, a mayor and grinning executives in green hard hats pose for cameras as they cut an oversized ceremonial ribbon stretched across a brand-new concrete sea wall. Just behind them towers a polished billboard advertising the condos: 'WATERFRONT LIVING — Built on Reclaimed Wetlands.' Off to one side, excavators are still tearing up the last strip of marsh, where a few displaced herons stand in shallow muck. The sea wall is pristine and celebratory in the foreground, but the ruined wetland behind it makes clear they are congratulating themselves for replacing the free natural protection they just destroyed.
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