Tackling Both New Orleans' Recovery And Climate Change

Blakely, who officially started his work in New Orleans this month, was hired as a research fellow by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy last fall to look at how cities, through planning, can adapt to climate change.

"It will be up to Blakely to decide how much time he spends on the climate research, though a finished product, including new planning tools and modeling, is expected by fall, said Anthony Flint, the institute's public affairs manager. Flint said he expected New Orleans to be a part of the research, which could have implications for coastal cities."

"In a statement through the institute, Blakely said being in New Orleans will strengthen his research."

"Last September, former President Bill Clinton said he chose the greater New Orleans area to be part of the Clinton Climate Initiative, focused on addressing global warming. Clinton said being more environmentally conscious can pay dividends both for the environment and for the economy."