Green, 50, went back recently to the Lower 9th Ward -- thinking he'd succeed where recovery workers and morgue contractors have failed.

CNN: 'My momma's body is on the roof'

Here to set you thinking are some less-than-standard measures of green shoots and turning points suggested in recent weeks, and a few that are more orthodox.

BBC: The popcorn route to recovery

The bill also removes the dedicated funding for green infrastructure, water efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects that communities used to implement forward-thinking water management solutions that protect clean water and save them money.

FORBES: Spending Cuts Threaten U.S. Water Infrastructure