Help this project become an American Express Members Project and further its impact on the green rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina with $2.5 M in funding from American Express. Vote here .

We voted for Rebuilding New Orleans Green because I think that it has a substantial amount of influence on the US as a whole in regards to how Americans look at green building. The decision to build something that is sub par simply because it is affordable is very tempting, especially in the case of New Orleans, where many are still displaced as an effect of this natural disaster. To put such a strong effort into assuring that the rebuilding of the city is done in a smart way that responds to the climate is not only the right decision: it’s one that will reach the news channels and websites of more people that are skeptical of green design and prove benefits of going green as well as the ability of green building to be affordable/accessible to everyone if we work for the right solutions.

To help the people of New Orleans rebuild their city with healthy, energy efficient homes and schools. My goal: help 10,000 or more residents rebuild their homes with energy efficient, healthy materials that lower monthly bills; create green schools where students have higher test scores and lower asthma rates; and adopt a neighborhood in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans by creating a ‘green village’ with affordable homes, community services and solar power.

New Orleans still needs urgent help to rebuild as we approach the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Rising energy costs are increasingly hurting families, schools and businesses. And global warming and resulting sea level rise threaten all coastal cities. We can and must rebuild healthy, energy efficient homes for low-income families; create schools that improve learning and are partly powered by the sun; and help New Orleans be a national model for fighting climate change.

Help improve lives: Green schools and homes will improve the lives of thousands of children and families and help cash strapped schools and communities save money.

After Hurricane Katrina, I like most Americans watched in horror at the lack of government response to this terrible disaster. I was resolved to do something and I knew that from the ashes of tragedy could rise hope. I believe that by rebuilding New Orleans as a truly green city we can make a lasting difference to the lives of the people of New Orleans and create a city that can meet the challenges of climate change."

-quoted directly from site

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