Climate Change/Mitigation Strategies/Alternative Energy

"Green" Roofs

"Green roofs" refers to growing plants on the top of roofs of buildings. There are several different methods for implementing green roofs. Green roofs have been wide spread in Europe and especially in Germany. Now the concept of green roofs is starting to spread in the USA. Egypt has started a green roofs initiative as well but uses a different method for implementing green roofs.

Benefits

Space Efficiency

Except from keeping rain and sun off a building's occupants, roof space is essentially wasted. Green roofing makes use of this wasted space.

Air purification

Plants absorb pollution from the air. Growing plants on the roof of a building contributes to improved air quality in the surrounding city. Obviously, green roofing will have a larger effect on air quality if it is employed in a widespread manner.

Aesthetic appeal

Even urban humans generally retain an aesthetic appreciation for being surrounded by plants. Green roofs can add a serene communal space to a building.

Food supply

Green roofing can be used as a source of vegetables and other edible plants.

Solar Panels

The solar panels can help to produce energy for a house, which can help to reduce or eliminate the cost of electricity.

They are best used in zones where there is a lot of sunlight, such as in the tropics or in very hot zones.