Global Green’s New Orleans Director Beth Galante is being honored today at the White House as a “Champion of Change.” Galante will be recognized along with four other New Orleans-area residents for their work to strengthen the local economy, create jobs and help the Gulf Coast recover from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Global Green, a national leader in creating smart solutions to climate change, opened a New Orleans office shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf and is collaborating with environmentalists, community developers, the Recovery School District, urban organizations, and others to create the building blocks for a climate friendly, model sustainable city for the 21st century.
Galante is being honored for her work building energy-efficient, affordable homes for displaced New Orleanians as part of Global Green”s vision and six-year initiative to rebuild New Orleans as a model green city post-Katrina. Galante is also participating in the Gulf Coast Sustainable Economies Roundtable at the White House. The Roundtable brings local leaders from around the Gulf Coast together to share best practices and connect them to the resources they need to undertake successful economic development projects and create jobs.
“I am truly humbled and honored by this honor that I share with the staff and supporters of Global Green USA and with the thousands of my fellow New Orleanians who are tirelessly working every day to create a healthy, vibrant and sustainable Gulf Coast,” said Galante.
Additional honorees include Will Bradshaw of Green Coast Enterprises, Byron Bishop, Carlton Dufrechou and Harlon Pearce. “Will, Beth, Byron, Carlton and Harlon are true Champions of Change,” said Jeffrey King, the Executive Director of the Clean Economy Development Center. “Their hard work and dedication have been instrumental to helping the Gulf Coast recover. Not only are they all helping their local community and region recover and rebuild, but also they are helping their country recover and grow.”