A Sustainable City Rises From the Rubble

"Many people in Greensburg, Kan., say that when their town was hit by a tornado last year, it was something of a gift. Residents have worked furiously during the past year not only to revitalize the once-dying town, but also to rebuild it in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable."

"The city has committed to rebuilding "LEED Platinum," the highest standard awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. That's no mean feat for what had been a faltering, cash-strapped little town before the licking it took from the EF5 tornado."

"'The town was wiped out, but the community was not. And the community is indeed stronger than ever,' says Daniel Wallach, who launched an organization to promote the green building initiative. Wallach credits the success entirely to the community buy-in."