At the third annual Clinton Global Initiative philanthropic soiree yesterday, actor Brad Pitt pledged $5 million in matching funds to build about 150 green homes in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood, one of the most troubled areas in the city. “We’re going to help make it right with 150 sustainable, affordable houses — houses that stand out for their design both aesthetically and structurally, so that these people can live in beautiful safe structures that respect their spirit and provide a good quality of life,” said Pitt. Real-estate bigwig Steve Bing also pledged $5 million in matching funds for the effort. Other green announcements at the CGI included power company Florida Power & Light unveiling its plans for a 300-megawatt solar thermal plant, as one part of a $2.4 billion initiative. That broad initiative would also see an additional solar thermal plant in California, and would provide millions in funding to help power users reduce their consumption. Still other funding pledged at the high-profile conference included money for education and health initiatives for especially needy areas around the world.
