Building a Global Green Community for New Orleans

Global Green USA is in 2023 working to rebuild and empower the community of the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans. The Global Green Community project is a first of its kind, for Environmental Justice and sustainable housing. At the start of the campaign we have already raised $382,000 which is not shown on the GoFundMe display.

The Global Green Community project aims to bring forth Environmental Justice and help 109 families in one of the hardest hit communities that to this day remains devastated by the climate catastrophe of Hurricane Katarina (in 2005).

The project will rebuild and repair homes with sustainable materials, certified green building practices, and renewable energy. The Global Green Community project in New Orleans will serve as a pilot for underrepresented communities in need in cities all over the United States.

Global Green USA has a long and successful track record working for environmental security and sustainable solutions, together with the world’s leading voices in advocacy for Mother Earth. Global Green has partnered with the EPA through its Sustainable Neighborhoods program to develop policy change and sustainability impact for underserved communities in 29 US cities, including New Orleans. Global Green is a non-profit organization, working for 30 years to uplift impoverished communities living with environmental degradation and suffering health issues, in the US and globally as an affiliate in partnership with Green Cross International.

Join us to bring forth environmental justice and a brighter future for the people of the Lower Ninth Ward.

A Call to Action

Solar installation at the Visitor Center in Holy Cross, Ninth Ward District, New Orleans, 2008. © Global Green USA

Fundraising for the 2023 Global Green Community project is targeted to repair, rebuild and revitalize the underserved community of the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, and to empower its residents. The determination is to bring forth Environmental Justice – to cultivate a safe and healthy community for its people.

Global Green Community will rebuild homes with sustainable materials, green building practices, and renewable energy, aligned to the goals of Net Zero (meaning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions). The funding will go to rebuilding the community with the expected impact of 100 + LEED-certified homes (to rebuild and/or build a new) built with energy-efficient, green-friendly design practices.

The guidelines for the housing construction are LEED-certified, with cutting-edge sustainable materials and renewable energy-powered. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to set a benchmark for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of high-performance green buildings and homes, used worldwide. Global Green USA worked together with the USGBC to help develop this framework for sustainable building guidelines, recognized and used globally for 25 years.

People are the Heart and Soul of the Community

Global Green Community initiatives from 2007-2012, New Orleans. © Global Green USA

A community is made up of the heart and soul of its people. The Global Green Community project aspires to empower its residents by bringing people together in community activities for education, individual prosperity, and the greater planetary good. The aim is to improve green housing, food security and community health, by way of access to local and affordable healthy organic food sources.

This can be done by empowering local fresh food market retailers that operate within the community, as well as providing education on home-grown food security. The project targets direct job creation (e.g., green home construction projects) and indirect job creation (e.g., local nonprofits can hire staff) within the community.

At the heart of the project is the Global Green Community Center, built in 2008 in the Holy Cross neighborhood. It has solar power and is LEED-certified (with green building techniques and storm readiness). The center is equipped to hold educational workshops, on the themes of: food security, greening and social sustainability, community resilience-disaster preparedness, as well as programs on environmental social justice, meaning to bring forth diversity, equity, and inclusion for civic involvement.

The community building can also house a state-of-the-art Recycling Center for the neighborhoods. The project envisions creating open green parks and recreational spaces.

The Global Green Community in the Lower Ninth Ward will serve as a pilot for communities in cities all over the United States. To ensure accountability Global Green works directly with independent partners to measure the performance of the project, where the results will be audited and reported.

What is a Global Green Community?

Community initiatives, New Orleans. © Global Green USA

A Global Green Community is inspired by the Earth Charter, an international declaration and framework of guidelines with fundamental principles for building a just, peaceful and sustainable global society, which is endorsed by UNESCO, IUCN, UNEP, and WHO. The project integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (# 1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16).

A Global Green Community is made up of both aspirational goals for cities globally, as well as specific initiatives adapted for the area. The aim for the community is to cultivate a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for its residents, and for the planet. It aims to bring forth affordable green housing, education and empowerment, and social justice.

The construction materials for all Global Green Communities are LEED-certified, and combined with renewable energy sources. The greatest resource of all are the people themselves. The aim is to bring in the local community with their wisdom and strength, as stakeholders.

Environmental Justice is About People

Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and surrounding areas on Aug. 30, 2005, resulting in 1,392 fatalities.

Environmental injustice is today a planet-wide problem. Underserved communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States are most vulnerable to climate change and suffer the greatest ecological apartheid and injustice.

The Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans remains today one of the most damaged neighborhoods after Katrina. More than 90% of the people there are from the Black community. These communities are most vulnerable and on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Addressing Environmental Justice and cultivating long-term solutions for underserved communities is the main incentive of the Global Green Community.

Urgency – the Time to Act is Now

Climate catastrophes and extreme weather is accelerating worldwide, and transitioning to sustainable technologies is urgent. This urgency brings the need for humanitarian aid and Environmental Justice. This Global Green Community will serve as a state-of-the-art model for all over the United States. We are building a pilot project, a first of its kind, taking in all aspects of Environment Justice. This will serve as a model to empower unserved communities. Let us come together to help make this happen!

Global Green USA is a non-profit organization

The mission of Global Green USA is to foster a global value shift in transition to a sustainable and secure future, by reconnecting humanity with the environment. Global Green works to create green cities, neighborhoods, and schools, as well as in marginalized communities in the US.

Global Green USA works to protect environmental health, improve quality of life and wellbeing, and support our planet's ecosystems. We address climate change and aim to create resilient and sustainable communities. We provide communities with renewable energy as well as clean and safe drinking water. Global Green brings holistic sustainable solutions for people, places and a planetary future.

Win a Print from The Inspirational Persons Series

In gratitude for the generous support to the GoFundMe campaign for the Global Green Community in the Lower Ninth Ward will every 3 weeks randomly give away a print or t-shirt from the Inspirational Persons series to one of the donors. The Art series, designed by Toby Jorgensen honors some of the great people who to this day continue to inspire humanity. No matter the amount of your donation, you will be entitled to participate in the drawing for the winner of that 3-week period.

Your Help is Crucial

Construction workers at Global Green's Community and Climate Action Center in the Lower Ninth Ward District, New Orleans © Global Green USA

Please join us in a campaign to rebuild the New Orleans community of the Lower Ninth Ward. This initiative is to bring Environmental Justice for 109 families who, like many underserved communities, are disproportionally affected by environmental catastrophes and on the forefront of climate change. These events are expected to increase in frequency and magnitude all over the world.

The fundraising goal for the GoFundMe campaign for the Global Green Community in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans is set at $5 million for the first phase of the budget. When this GoFundMe campaign started, we have already raised $382,000.

Additional funding for this project is targeted by way of fundraising events and partnerships. No matter the size, great or small, your generous donation sent to the GoFundMe campaign can help improve the quality of life for many. Thank you.

For more information on the Global Green Community please visit our site: www.globalgreencommunity.org or contact the Campaign Team: William Bridge, Tonia Moya or Toby Jorgensen via the website at [email redacted].

To find out more about Global Green USA visit: www.globalgreencommunity.org

1 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNEP)

2 The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

3 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

4 The World Health Organization (WHO)