Season 4, Episode 8: Charles Allen: How Communities Designed Their Future in Post-Katrina New Orleans
Charles Allen, Engagement Director for the Audubon Delta unit of the National Audubon Society and co-founder of the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development
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Charles Allen, Engagement Director for the Audubon Delta unit of the National Audubon Society and co-founder of the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, joins John to reflect on nearly 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and what it means for New Orleans today. They discuss his experience with post-Katrina recovery, the importance of community-led rebuilding, and how neighborhoods have navigated uneven redevelopment. Charles also explores how communities can stay engaged on the impacts of climate change and why public participation is key to building long-term resilience.
“ Grams would say, ‘Don’t be afraid — step in. There’s an opportunity for you now to get involved in the change.’”
Key Topics
The Lasting Impact of Hurricane Katrina: Charles reflects on how Katrina reshaped New Orleans, influenced discussions about community resilience, and remains a defining moment for the city 20 years later.
The “Jack-O’-Lantern Effect” of Uneven Recovery: Charles describes how, 20 years after Katrina, the Lower Ninth Ward still has a patchwork of rebuilt homes surrounded by vacant lots, reflecting the uneven nature of redevelopment and the challenges that remain for the community.
Repurposing Vacant Lots for Climate Resilience: Charles discusses how the Lower Ninth Ward and other neighborhoods have transformed vacant lots into green infrastructure projects, such as rain gardens and water detention areas, to help manage flooding and increase climate resilience.
Civic Engagement in Disaster Recovery: Charles shares how neighborhood leaders participated in post-Katrina planning meetings, advocated for their community, and worked to implement sustainability initiatives to support long-term resilience.
Overcoming Climate Change Numbness and Disinformation: John and Charles explore how people can become desensitized to climate change, the challenge of staying engaged, and the importance of seeking credible information to remain informed.
Embracing Change Instead of Resisting It: Charles reflects on the wisdom of his great-grandmother, who taught him that change is inevitable, and explains why stepping into change is essential for shaping a stronger, more resilient future.
Links to Relevant Studies and Resources:
Learn more about Charles on Audubon Delta’s website.
Learn more about the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, co-founded by Charles, and its work on environmental justice and climate resilience.
Charles and John discuss the IPCC AR6 Climate Report, which outlines the science behind intensifying climate impacts.
Further Reading:
Read about the City of New Orleans’ Climate Action Strategy and its resilience planning efforts.
“Neighborhoods were required to prove their viability and demonstrate how you’re going to come back. So with neighborhood associations, nonprofits, you name it, we were all engaged in these conversations on proving our viability. ”
Transcript
Coming soon.