Why it matters:
Because Green Roofs produce oxygen and greatly reduce heating and cooling costs.
Recap:
According to an announcement from Mother Nature Network, the City of Toronto has recently passed a law requiring 20-60% green roofing on all new construction projects over 2000 square feet.
Not surprisingly, the requirements, which apply to all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional projects (what’s left? Tree houses? Nevermind, they already have green roofs) have many local developers in a tizzy. Some developers insist the requirements will add as much as $177,000 dollars to the cost of initial construction alone.
But for Toronto policy-makers, the potential energy-saving and environmental benefits are drowning out the cries of foul. And the advantages are many. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, green roofs reduce and filter run-off, absorb particulates, heavy metals, and pollutants, and mitigate the heat island effect.
Commentary:
Heat Island Effect? Sounds sultry, right? “Heat Island Effect 2: Havana Nights!” It’s actually supremely unpleasant. Simply put, cities are hotter than adjacent rural areas… Up to 5 degrees hotter during the day and as much as 22 degrees hotter at night. 22 degrees! That’s the difference between Los Angeles (woo-hoo!) and Death Valley (…).
Developers are right, green roofs aren’t cheap. It’s not as simple as letting a group of (well-harnessed) toddlers prance around on your rotten shingles sprinkling wild-flowers seeds. Most green roof installations require additional structural support. But green roofs reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 30% and can triple the life of roofing membranes. (The rooftop gardens of Rockefeller plaza date back to the 1930s.) And installing additional structural support during initial construction saves even more money. Booyah, developers! And with 40% of the roof left over, developers are free to use their imaginations (money-saving aluminum roofing or solar panels!).
Creative Solutions:
- Install a green roof!
- The Old Classic: Plant a Tree
- Take it easy on the thermostat
- Draw the Shades
- Use other Passive Solar techniques
