The Extra Benefits of Green Roofs

Beyond the insulating effects of rooftop gardens, utilizing concrete slabs to create green
spaces comes with a whole host of benefits. With urbanization slowly encroaching on
natural habitats and landscapes, vast regions have been stripped of their natural
ecosystems.

This has had a devastating effect on pollution, wildlife populations, and our collective
mental health. By reintroducing nature, we can help to   reverse some of the more
damaging aspects of urban sprawl.

1. Reduces CO2 Emissions

A city littered with green roofs would do wonders in reducing the total amount of CO2
escaping these areas. Rooftop gardens can absorb CO2 from the air and release
oxygen in its place, creating a healthier urban environment.

Currently, CO2 emissions are the largest contributor to greenhouse gases released by
humans. If we installed green roofs, we would be able to reduce this percentage while
still conserving energy.

A study in Michigan estimated that if every rooftop in Detroit had greenery, these roofs
would have the ability to remove the same amount of CO2 produced by 10,000
trucks over the course of two years.

This is also carbon that is being absorbed in the areas that need it the most, as cities
have far less vegetation and produce far more CO2 on average than surrounding
regions.

2. Provides a Habitat for Wildlife

The destruction and clearing of large swaths of natural habitats for urban development
has displaced many creatures. Rooftop gardens offer nesting areas and homes for
insects, which attracts a range of birds. Flowering plants on roofs provide
very  necessary food and habitats for bees, which have been in desperate need of help
recently.
We shouldn’t underestimate the ecological value of these rooftops, as a report noted
that  37 species of birds were on just ten rooftop gardens in New York. This population
of birds included some uncommon species, such as woodcocks, magnolia warblers,
flycatchers, falcons and hummingbirds. These birds do not usually live in cities,
although they’re an essential part of the ecosystem.

3. Allows for Better Storm Water Management

Rooftop gardens trap water and slow its descent to road-level surfaces, thereby helping
cities manage the huge amounts of water passing over them during severe storms.
Green roofs have been found to reduce water run-off by an average of 50%, allowing
cities to retain healthy amounts of water that can keep them cool when the sun comes
out again.

When several major city buildings implement green roofs, it greatly relieves the
pressure of the storm water drainage systems that are already dealing with the brunt of
climate change and its resulting super storms.

4. Can Produce Food

Rooftop gardens have the ability to produce food right where the demand for it is at its
highest: in densely populated cities. Growing food in the center of a city reduces
transportation costs. That’s because customers are in the direct vicinity of the farm.

It also results in a smaller carbon footprint. People then don’t need trucks to deliver
food from outside areas.

The food produced on these rooftops is often more nutritious than other food on the
plate. That’s due to its freshness and the lack of processing people need to do to
preserve it.

Vegetables lose their nutritional value rather quickly after being people harvest them.
This number is far higher than most would expect. Spinach can lose over 50% of its
vitamin C content by the time it reaches someone’s plate.

Cultivating crops on rooftops also reduces the need to create new farmlands  through
forest clearing, which has a significant impact on environmental degradation and global
warming. Luckily, we as humans have a diverse range of edible species at our disposal
that we can grow in a range of climates on rooftops.

Those need relatively little maintenance. This type of rooftop food production not only
has a smaller carbon footprint than other foods, but it can often be “carbon negative”
as it also reduces energy expenditures.

5. Can Boost our Mood

Green spaces in cities may significantly reduce overall stress in a population. A

hypothetical city that has green roofs full of chirping birds, beautiful foliage and healthy
food could do this even more effectively.

A rooftop garden offers a refreshing reprieve for employees and residents who live in
constricted, industrial spaces with little access to nature.

We can’t underestimate the effects of these green spaces. In one study, people that
grew up in areas with few green spaces had a 55% higher chance of developing
mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse, than those living in
natural environments. This lessens the burden of healthcare costs as fewer individuals
rely on costly pharmaceuticals or doctor visits.

Rooftop gardens not only reduce stress and incidents of mental strain, but they actually
increase productivity. Offices that include a considerable amount greenery have been
found to boost the productivity of employees by up to 15%. A city that is 15% more
productive as a whole would have huge economic and social benefits, leading to
a happier and healthier life for all.