National Green Day of Action: Global Vision For New Orleans
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dear Family & Friends:
On Saturday September 27, 2008 - I had the opportuity to share the stage with two New Orleans City Council members, civic leaders and volunteers as we celebrated the National Day of Action for Green Jobs in New Orleans. “Green Day” forums and rallies took place across the country over the weekend. Click Here To View Our Photos From The Rally!
Below is an excerpt of my written speech, “Global Vision For Green New Orleans.”
I am excited to be here because our initiative is just one example of how & why New Orleans should be at the forefront of the green movement. In examining the state of New Orleans’ green economy, there are a few things that we need to do as we champion a green agenda for New Orleans.
First, we have to look at what we are doing right. An important component of that is looking at how we can more effectively communicate with people what city government & residents in our neighborhoods are doing to make green the Crescent City.
Then we ought to focus on our excessive waste, those ways in which we are harming the environment - in government, business and at home.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly - we have to look at ourselves. Individually, we must become more responsible in harnessing the resources of our natural environment. Our task is simple: in order to rebuild the best New Orleans than we have got to be better stewards of the earth.
Each and everyday we can take 1 small step toward making this work. We are all at this rally because we want to reclaim the grandeur that once was New Orleans - with bold ideas and a sustainable vision to make the Crescent City safer, smarter, greener & healthier.
But for you and I, this agenda is about making tough decisions. Living a green life that creates green jobs is about sacrifice. It is about leading the way among your friends & family.
It is about creating incentives that you can utilize in your place of work. It is about questioning the manufacturers of the products you buy, and demanding a green agenda from the people who seek your vote.
And so our agenda must incorporate a vision to maximize the global marketplace for green products and use those investments to make urban cities like NOLA the most green in the country. Now is our time. We have a tremendous opportunity to create a culture of green innovation right here in our own backyard, now lets see what we do with it.”
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This week we will conclude our immediate response GustavRelief.Org efforts. Thank you for all of your support and suggestions - we made some significant gain in the past three weeks:
220 new blankets & 1,000 bottles of water from countless individuals and 7 corporate sponsors to 10 different points of distribution and or evacuation shelters from Houma, Louisiana to Jackson, Mississippi. Visit our site for more photos and info.
Here is one great reason to Support Our House: “The New Orleans 100″ is a worldwide initiative that recently highlighted and encouraged discussion among millions about 100 of the best and most sustainable organizations in the city. Blanket New Orleans, Inc. is one of the most innovative and world-changing ideas to take root in the city since Katrina. Click to here to read about it - we are in the Non-Profit Category!
