 |
|
'Green' roofs may help put lid on global warming
September 24, 2009"Green" roofs, those increasingly popular urban rooftops covered with plants, could help fight global warming, scientists in Michigan are reporting. The scientists found that replacing traditional roofing materials in an urban area the size of Detroit, with a population of about one-million, with green would be equivalent to eliminating a year's worth of carbon dioxide emitted by 10,000 mid-sized SUVs and trucks. Their study, the first of its kind to examine the ability of green roofs to sequester carbon which may impact climate change, is scheduled for the Oct. 1 issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal.
Kristin Getter and colleagues point out in the new study that green roofs are multi-functional. They reduce heating and air conditioning costs, for instance, and retain and detain stormwater. Researchers knew that green roofs also absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, but nobody had measured the impact until now.
The scientists measured carbon levels in plant and soil samples collected from 13 green roofs in Michigan and Maryland over a two-year period. They found that green roofing an urban area of about one million people would capture more than 55,000 tons of carbon, the scientists say. That's an amount "similar to removing more than 10,000 mid-sized SUV or trucks off the road a year," the article notes.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow climate change
Because land use changes are responsible for 50 percent of warming in the US, policymakers need to address the influence of global deforestation and urbanization on climate change, in addition to greenhouse gas emissions.
Growing green roofs
One way to maximize the eco-friendly factor of a structure is to include a green roof-and this doesn't refer to the paint color.
Green Roofs Differ in Building Cooling, Water Handling Capabilities
The first study to compare the performance of different types of green roofs has been completed by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and suggests that buyers shouldn't assume these roofs are created equal.
More Green Roofs Current Events and Green Roofs News Articles
 |
Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett (Author), Noël Kingsbury (Author) The latest techniques for planting roofs and walls to enhance our buildings and benefit the environment. The green roof industry is booming and the technology changing fast as professionals respond to the unique challenges of each new planting. In this comprehensively updated, fully revised edition of their authoritative reference, Nigel Dunnett and Noël Kingsbury reveal the very latest techniques, materials, and plants, and showcase some spectacular new case studies for the non-professional. Green roofs and walls reduce pollution and runoff, help insulate and reduce the maintenance needs of buildings, contribute to biodiversity, and provide habitats for wildlife. In addition to all this, they are attractive to look at and enhance the quality of life of residents. In Planting Green Roofs... |
 |
Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide by Edmund C. Snodgrass (Author), Lucie L. Snodgrass (Author) Green roofs have gone from horticultural curiosity to booming growth industry in urban and suburban settings alike—primarily because their environmental benefits are now beyond dispute. Concise, accurate, and easy to use, this is the first reference devoted to the drought-tolerant plants most likely to succeed in this environment. The text covers moisture needs, heat tolerance, hardiness, bloom color, foliage characteristics, and height of 350 species and cultivars. Green Roof Plants is destined to become an indispensable practical reference guide for architects, landscape designers, engineers, and environmentally conscious home gardeners. |
 |
Green Roof Construction and Maintenance (GreenSource Books) (Mcgraw-Hill's Greensource) by Kelly Luckett (Author) A Complete Guide to Building and Maintaining Green Roofs Written by an industry expert in green roof design and installation, this GreenSource book presents all of the information you need to skillfully design, construct, and maintain green roofs. You will find a wealth of practical details gathered through real-world implementations and independent research. Green Roof Construction and Maintenance explains how to design a green roof, plan for irrigation and drainage, select and place soil and plants, and maintain the entire setup. The book also discusses return on investment, LEED design specifications, and the myriad short- and long-term environmental benefits of green roofs. Filled with step-by-step illustrations and full-color photographs, this is a valuable, hands-on guide... |
 |
Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design by Steven L. Cantor (Author), Steven Peck (Foreword) A popular design trend, green roofs make private and public buildings inviting and environmentally friendly. Green roofs offer many aesthetic benefits as well as environmental ones. Landscape architect Steven Cantor gives the basic terminology of green roof design, defines the green roof types, reviews materials of construction and methods of installation, and explores sixty projects in detail, identifying the design process, the program for the project, and the specific application of green roof design and technology. He gives design professionals and students a thorough introduction to the applications and impacts of green roofs on the built environment and shows how they can be integrated into contemporary buildings as well as existing structures. Green... |
 |
Green Roofs: Ecological Design And Construction by Earth Pledge Foundation (Author), Leslie Hoffman (Foreword), William McDonough (Foreword) -- Cooling cities -- Reducing energy demand -- Containing water runoff -- Preserving wildlife habitat -- Enhancing urban well-being These are a few of the many reasons why green roofs are sprouting in cities around the world. Examine possibilities for city-wide green roof development through 335 color photographs, 40 case studies of exemplary green roof building projects, and 7 municipal case studies describing green roofs in Berlin, Tokyo, London, Portland, Chicago, Toronto, and New York. This book details the ecological benefits, technical requirements, architectural history, and design possibilities of vegetated rooftops. Green Roofs: Ecological Design and Construction will inform and inspire communities, designers, building owners, and local leaders by showcasing the environmental and... |
 |
Green Roof Systems : A Guide to the Planning, Design and Construction of Building Over Structure by Susan Weiler (Author), Katrin Scholz-Barth (Author) Green Roof Systems goes beyond the fashionable green roof movement and provides solid information on building accessible space, often as important public space, over structure. It offers brief coverage of the entire process, including planning and collaboration, and focuses on the technical aspects of these roof systems, their components, and their applications. |
 |
Varicraft SP3MG 28 inch Tall Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder for Mixed Seed with Green Aluminum Roof by Varicraft Squirrel-proof bird feeder with green baked on finish on aluminum roof and base. Stainless steel squirrel guards at all seed port openings. 1/4 thick, white PVC seed tube will not crack, chip or turn yellow. 28 tall feeder has eight seed ports for feeding wild bird mixed seed. |
 |
Award Winning Green Roof Designs (Schiffer Book) by Steven Peck (Author) Over 100 beautiful, informative photos display the green roofs technology that is quickly becoming a fundamental element of the emerging practice of living architecture. The award-winning roof designs displayed and described, for private homes, businesses, and public spaces alike, integrate natural and artificial systems, resulting in healthier, more sustainable buildings and communities. Green roofs have the capacity to deliver multiple public and private benefits. The projects depicted and discussed cover a wide geographic range from Manitoba to Florida, stretching from the mid-Atlantic coast to the Pacific. The projects are almost exclusively the product of multi-disciplinary, collaborative design processes. Details about the plants used, growing media, drainage and irrigation... |
 |
Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black) by Bushnell Travelers, nature observers and concert goers take note: the PowerView series offers the largest line of Bushnell quality, affordable binoculars. No matter what your purpose, you'll find a variety of magnifications, styles and sizes, and fully coated optics for bright, vivid images. PRODUCT FEATURES: Fully Coated Lens Coating; Fold Down Eyecups. |
 |
6-Letter Wooden Name Puzzle by Under the Green Roof by Under the Green Roof This personalized 6-letter Name Puzzle makes a great gift for a favorite person. For your boss, teacher, grandma, child, grandchild, etc. It can also be made with your favorite sports team's name or it can say "Merry Christmas" or any other Holiday greeting. The large letters are 3" tall and the lower case or smaller letters are proportionately sized. The letters are a nice, chunky 3/4" thick and stand upright for display. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |