27. New Orleans, LA

Resiliently Facing the Future

New Orleans, LA: Resiliently Facing the Future

“Jazz needs you, Creole cooking needs you, and New Orleans needs you now more than ever.” That’s the message on the Bring New Orleans Back website, as part of a commission appointed by Mayor Ray Nagin to create a blueprint for rebuilding the city. Since Hurricane Katrina devastated NoLa in 2005, some have questioned the sustainability of a city that sits partially below sea level on a Mississippi River Delta floodplain. Still, if any good has come from the disaster, it’s the city’s opportunity to rebuild green. The city’s new fleet runs entirely on alternative fuels, for example. And heavy-hitter green building advocates have taken a special interest in New Orleans as well, including the international organization, Global Green, whose newly-minted LEED Platinum home was built to withstand high water and 130 mph winds. The organization has pledged to build 23 of these homes as well as a community center in the Ninth Ward. Actor Brad Pitt is also committed to recovery and sustainable redevelopment in the city; his organization, Make It Right, plans to build 150 green homes in the Lower Ninth Ward.

(Photo by Lyndi&Jason)

City of New Orleans

Mayor: C. Ray Nagin

Sustainability Coordinator: Wynecta Fisher, Director, New Orleans Mayor's Office of Environmental Affairs

Mayor's Office of Environmental Affairs: http://www.cityofno.com/pg-47-1-environmental-affairs-home.aspx

City Website: http://www.cityofno.com/

New Orleans's Rankings

New Orleans sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
New Orleans, LA: City charts

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Latest Comments
Michael P. says

Jordana G.,

What I'm saying is that the ranking does not take into account all the environmental factors (i.e. quality of life). Green is not just traffic congestion and air... more »

Jordana G.
Jordana G. says

Hey Michael -- in what way is the ranking skewed? more »

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New Orleans Talk

Brad R.

Review of Rubenstein's

5 star rating

The wife found a specially-blended organic coconut oil at this store My wife discovered this store from her trusty guidebook. Rubenstein's was described as "the Barney's of New Orleans".  Leave it to my wife to travel all this way and find one of... more »

Brad R.

Review of International House

3 star rating

Horrible cleaning products used Debated between the Ritz Carlton, W Hotel, and the International House. The W was booked, and expected the Ritz to be a bit stuffy, so I went with International House.  I'm very... more »

Michael P.

Discussion: New Orleans, LA: Resiliently Facing the Future

Jordana G., What I'm saying is that the ranking does not take into account all the environmental factors (i.e. quality of life). Green is not just traffic congestion and air... more »

Cities Compared
Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

Is there any link between political affiliation and sustainability policy? We ran the numbers!

As a city on the cutting edge of environmental innovation, we’re so pleased that yet another esteemed group has recognized our environmental leadership. Creating a sustainable city is not only about protecting our urban environment and fighting global climate change, but also about rebuilding a new green economy that grows good manufacturing jobs. We’re working hard to grow green jobs and businesses, like ones that manufacture wind turbines, solar panels, and other renewable energy sources. These jobs create economic opportunity for our residents and at the same time help preserve some of the most valuable resources in our city. Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis

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