How Green Roofs Can Help Cities | NPR

Summary

The green roof atop New York City's Javits Convention Center, the largest of its kind, is a remarkable example of sustainable urban design. Once barren, the roof now supports 300,000 bees, over 25 bird species, and helps reduce the city's temperature and stormwater runoff. Green roofs offer solutions to common urban issues like heat islands and habitat loss. With 1 billion square feet of roof space in NYC, large-scale adoption could lower temperatures by nearly 2°F and absorb billions of gallons of stormwater, transforming rooftops into vital ecosystems that solve pressing environmental problems.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Javits Convention Center in New York City has the largest green roof in the city, transforming from a barren space to an eco-friendly rooftop since 2014.
• 😀 The green roof has led to significant environmental benefits, such as reducing temperatures by 6°F, saving 7 million gallons of stormwater, and cutting energy consumption by 26%.
• 😀 The roof hosts 300,000 bees and has seen 25 different species of birds, contributing to biodiversity in the urban landscape.
• 😀 The green roof helps reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing water through the soil and plants, preventing pollution from entering rivers.
• 😀 Green roofs can mitigate the urban heat island effect, where cities become much hotter than surrounding areas, by keeping temperatures close to air temperature.
• 😀 Green roofs provide crucial habitat for plants and animals, helping to combat habitat loss and allowing species to move between green spaces in urban areas.
• 😀 Cities face the challenge of managing around 1 billion square feet of roof space, which could be utilized for green roofs to solve urban environmental problems.
• 😀 Stormwater runoff can overwhelm wastewater treatment systems, but green roofs help absorb rainwater and prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers.
• 😀 Green roofs can significantly lower urban temperatures. If all of New York City’s roof space were greened, it could reduce the city's temperature by nearly 2°F.
• 😀 Greening rooftops could absorb over 10 billion gallons of stormwater annually in New York City alone, helping to address water management challenges.
• 😀 As cities grow, the large amounts of unused roof space offer an untapped resource for creating ecosystems that can address multiple urban challenges.

Q & A

What is the significance of the green roof on the Javits Convention Center?

The green roof on the Javits Convention Center is the largest in New York City, offering both environmental and practical benefits such as reducing temperature, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing biodiversity.

What was the condition of the roof before 2014?

Before 2014, the roof of the Javits Convention Center was barren and had no greenery.

What are some of the positive reactions people have when they see the green roof?

People often express surprise and admiration, with comments like 'Amazing,' 'That's great,' 'I didn't expect this,' and 'What a surprise.'

How does the green roof benefit biodiversity?

The green roof supports 300,000 bees and provides habitat for 25 different species of birds.

What impact does the green roof have on temperature?

The green roof has helped reduce the temperature by about six degrees Fahrenheit, contributing to a cooler urban environment.

How much stormwater runoff is managed by the green roof?

The green roof absorbs about 7 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year, preventing it from entering the city's wastewater system.

What financial savings has the green roof generated?

The green roof has reduced energy consumption by about 26%, translating to savings of approximately 3 million dollars per year.

What is the total amount of roof space in New York City, and how does it relate to green roofs?

New York City has about 1 billion square feet of roof space. Green roofs could help tackle urban problems if implemented at a large scale across this space.

What are some urban problems that green roofs can help address?

Green roofs can help mitigate stormwater runoff, reduce the heat island effect, and combat habitat loss for various species.

What is the 'heat island effect,' and how do green roofs help with it?

The heat island effect refers to cities being much warmer than surrounding areas due to surfaces like asphalt absorbing heat. Green roofs counteract this by maintaining temperatures closer to the surrounding air.