Cameron Diaz Takes a Look at Green Re-building Efforts in New Orleans

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Joyce Benson   1 Comment |
Tag(s): Events, Green Building, The Great Green Outdoors

The Sundance Channel, well-known for its progressive programming, makes no exception with its series Iconoclasts. This original series, now in its fourth season, features ideas and actions of leading innovators and creative visionaries.

In the current episode, actress and environmental enthusiast Cameron Diaz, and co-founder of Architecture for Humanity, Cameron Sinclair, travel together to New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi.  There, they see first-hand how hurricane Katrina devastated the land, the architecture, and the people; and share insights on the solutions Architecture for Humanity is working on to re-build and reconnect communities.

The program also shed some light on important issues, like the critical role that wetland areas play in controlling storm surges.  Unfortunately, around New Orleans, the wetlands have been diminished by the canals and levees that had been built there and contributed to the massive flooding of the city during hurricane Katrina.  It was shocking to learn that 300 million trees were felled by the hurricane too.  Let’s hope the trees were milled into lumber that would be used to re-build the city.

Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks sustainable architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings pro bono design services to communities in need around the globe.  If you’re stuck for a holiday gift idea, a tax deductible donation in your loved ones name(s) seems like a good thing to do in the spirit of giving.

This episode of Iconoclasts will air again tonight at 6pm EST and on Thanksgiving Day at 9pm EST.

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