Rebuilding New Orleans
GLOBAL GREEN USA LAUNCHES BUILD IT BACK GREEN
Initiative to Help NOLA Residents Save Money on High Utility Bills and Improve Health; Two Year Program to help thousands of Road Home Recipient Families Rebuild Green
New Orleans, LA - October 8, 2008 - As fuel adjustments drive energy bills sky-high in Louisiana, Global Green USA is offering a new program for the public to get information and advice on how to significantly reduce their energy use and improve their health with energy-efficient, non-toxic green building products and materials. Global Green’s “Build it Back Green” is a new initiative that will make it easier for Louisiana residents to learn how to find and install simple, cost-effective green products into their homes.
Through a dedicated website www.globalgreen.org/bibg, Global Green is now offering a comprehensive directory of green products and where to find them, information on how to take advantage of some of the statewide and federal incentives for green building, and other useful green building tips and advice. The program will also launch city-wide workshops tailored to specific neighborhood needs, and encourage community use of both the Global Green Resource Center on Carondelet Street and the Holy Cross Project¹s entirely sustainable Global Green House in the Lower 9th ward. Global Green hopes to educate and motivate those looking to not just rebuild their homes to be more energy-efficient, but to also be more storm resistant.
Global Green launched the program with a tour of the first home in the Lower Ninth Ward that benefited from some of the recommendations of the “Build it Back Green” initiative and was followed by a comprehensive briefing and kick-off meeting for neighborhood leaders at their Resource Center at 841 Carondolet Street.
“We have been waiting for a program like this that makes information on green products, how to use them, and where to find them more accessible for the average New Orleanian,” said Neighborhoods Partnership Leader Timolyn Sams. “Green building technology is very new to most people in this region. Although we have been hearing about it, and would like to use it, most people have not known how to learn about it and buy it,”
Raymond Breaux, Global Green’s project manager for the “Build it Back Green” program says he expects to reach thousands of New Orleans residents through a combination of the Road Home program, the Global Green website, the Global Green House in Holy Cross, seminars and one on one consultations.
“We just helped a Holy Cross homeowner, Ms. Capers, to introduce some low cost changes that will result in at least a 10-12% energy cost savings for her. We installed a dual flush toilet, fluorescent bulbs in her numerous recessed lighting sockets in her ceilings, and improved her weatherization,” said Breaux.
“Build it Back Green” aims to increase awareness of affordable, accessible green rebuilding options to suit every budget. With funding from Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) and Surdna Foundation, Global Green USA is now offering materials and programs which will emphasize steps that all citizens can take to reduce both their utility bills and carbon footprints. Some suggested home improvements, which can be made by both homeowners and renters alike, are not pricey but have proven to be cost-effective. Simple, easy and affordable options such as replacing regular light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent ones (CFLs) and updating homes with proper wall and ceiling insulation can increase efficiency and effectiveness of lighting, heating and cooling systems. Applying radiant barriers to upper levels of the home can deflect up to 97% of the sun’s rays and significantly reduce monthly energy bills while increasing air quality. Such small-scale improvements can collectively take larger steps toward reducing the total energy usage of homes and buildings, now one third of total U.S. energy consumption.
Global Green’s new Green Vendor Directory is also an important breakthrough for New Orleanians, with literally hundreds of merchants in the immediate vicinity listed by product type. The directory also offers national alternatives when no local merchants are available. The list, available now at www.globalgreen.org/bibg will also be available in print in the future.
Global Green New Orleans Director Beth Galante says the “Build it Back Green” program is aimed at reaching at least 10,000 citizens in the area.
“This program will have the broadest reach of any of our initiatives so far. Our model housing program in the 9th ward, our green schools initiatives, our forums and advocacy work have already reached thousands, with more than 2,000 people having already toured the Global Green House,” said Galante. “But this program will give thousands immediate access to “green tools” they can use to make a difference in their own homes. This is what we have been working towards…making New Orleans one of the greenest cities in America.”
More about Global Green USA:
Global Green USA is a national environmental non-profit organization that merges innovative research, cutting-edge community based projects and targeted advocacy to create a sustainable future. Global Green opened a New Orleans office shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf and is collaborating with environmentalists, community developers, urban organizations and others to create the building blocks for a climate friendly, model sustainable city for the 21st century. Global Green USA has helped "green" nearly $20 billion nationally in affordable housing, school, college, and municipal building construction through technical assistance, partnerships, advocacy, and education. The organization has written and implemented green building, energy efficiency, and solar power guidelines in addition to legislation and incentives at the local, state, and federal level. It has also pioneered partnerships with countless non-profits, developers and government agencies.
