Green Roofs

GREEN ROOFS

by Anton Antonio

June 3, 2015

“Environmental advocates study and research on environmental matters and issues and come up with plans and programs and the necessary legislation to effect such recommended changes and strategies.  Environmental advocates lobby for the repeal of irrelevant and out-dated environmental laws, look into the possibility of harmonizing present rules and regulations, and assist in crafting new legislation that shall be responsive to the pressing environmental needs and attuned to changes of time.”  (Antonio, 2014)

In most of the progressive countries in the world, “green legislation” is often a product of environmental lobbying.  More often, if a piece of legislation is being pushed by environmental advocates (usually organized in groups) who normally follow the participatory and consultative approach, these laws are easier passed.  A citizen/civil society-driven lobby is a very effective way of getting things done.

Lately in France, a new legislation mandated that all new buildings that are constructed in commercial areas must be partially covered by either plants or solar panels.  This new law was met with a high level of approval by the French as it conformed with their wish and desire to get involved in climate change mitigation efforts.  This new building design is called green roofs.

Green roofs help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a building during winter or cool it in the summer.  Roofs covered by different species of flora also become sanctuaries for birds in the middle of an urban jungle.  On the other hand, for building owners who opt to install solar panels instead, they help provide the buildings with renewable energy… which contributes to less carbon footprint.

Here are some (of the many) benefits of green roofs or living roofs (http://csglobe.com/france-declares-all-new-rooftops-must-be-topped-with-plants-or-solar-panels/):

1. Adding natural beauty and major aesthetic improvement to buildings, which in turn increases the investment opportunity.
2. Helping contribute to landfill diversion by prolonging the life of waterproofing membranes, using recycled materials, and prolonging the service of heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems through decreased use.
3. Green roofs assist with storm water management because water is stored by the substrate, then taken up by plants, and thus returned to the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. They also retain rainwater and moderate the temperature of the water and act as natural filters for the water that does run off. They delay the time at which runoff occurs, which results in decreased stress on sewer systems during peak periods.
4. The plants on green roofs do a great job of capturing airborne pollutants and other atmospheric deposition. They can also filter noxious gasses.
5. They open up new areas for community gardens, commercial and recreational space in busy cities where this space is generally quite limited.

France is definitely on the right track in being a model in synergizing public clamor into workable pieces of legislation.  Environmental problems are better addressed through the enactment of laws to institutionalize the desired solution.  These need not be complex laws… they just need to be effective… like the green roofs.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCE:

Antonio, A. C. (2014).  “Environmental Advocacy”.  Retrieved on June 3, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/09/environmental-advocacy.html

CS Globe. “France Declares All New Rooftops Must be Topped with Plants or Solar Panels”.  Retrieved on June 3, 2015 from http://csglobe.com/france-declares-all-new-rooftops-must-be-topped-with-plants-or-solar-panels/