Rooftop Gardens
"I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want a green roof" — Kristin Getter, Researcher from Michigan State University
Rooftop gardens, or green roofs, are roofs covered with plants. Plants cut Carbon Dioxide because they absorb it and return it to us as Oxygen that we breathe. Unfortunately, due to the increase of Carbon Dioxide emissions, plants cannot keep up with the emissions. If we were to plant more plants, it would help Carbon Dioxide emissions to fall.
In London, a study showed that green roofs significantly cut down Carbon Dioxide emissions. A team of scientists studied 12 rooftop gardens and saw that each one can absorb up to 375 grams of Carbon Dioxide in two years. This may not seem like a lot, but think about it this way. If a city the size of Detroit were to have a garden on the roof of every building, it would be equivalent to take 10,000 18-wheelers off of the roads.
Some people are so serious about this that they are making laws for rooftop gardens. In Paris, France, new buildings that are for commercial use have to be covered with plants or solar panels. This law was originally for all new rooftops, commercial or not, but the government decided to limit to only commercial buildings.
Besides cutting down on Carbon Dioxide emissions, these rooftops can also keep buildings cool in summer, while the solar panels can provide the energy for any extra air conditioning needs. They can also help to give habitats to animals that live in the city whose homes may have been destroyed by other construction.
They can also help to enhance the overall look of the city. Green roofs bring a more natural feeling to the city. They frequently add interesting architecture to the environment and help to make the city look more modern.
These green roofs have multiple purposes and are overall environmentally friendly. They reduce Carbon Dioxide in large quantities. The rooftops can help us move forward to a green future.
In London, a study showed that green roofs significantly cut down Carbon Dioxide emissions. A team of scientists studied 12 rooftop gardens and saw that each one can absorb up to 375 grams of Carbon Dioxide in two years. This may not seem like a lot, but think about it this way. If a city the size of Detroit were to have a garden on the roof of every building, it would be equivalent to take 10,000 18-wheelers off of the roads.
Some people are so serious about this that they are making laws for rooftop gardens. In Paris, France, new buildings that are for commercial use have to be covered with plants or solar panels. This law was originally for all new rooftops, commercial or not, but the government decided to limit to only commercial buildings.
Besides cutting down on Carbon Dioxide emissions, these rooftops can also keep buildings cool in summer, while the solar panels can provide the energy for any extra air conditioning needs. They can also help to give habitats to animals that live in the city whose homes may have been destroyed by other construction.
They can also help to enhance the overall look of the city. Green roofs bring a more natural feeling to the city. They frequently add interesting architecture to the environment and help to make the city look more modern.
These green roofs have multiple purposes and are overall environmentally friendly. They reduce Carbon Dioxide in large quantities. The rooftops can help us move forward to a green future.