Green Roof Impact Heat Islands

Green roofs and the urban heat island effect green roofs like other green spaces in cities can have a positive effect on the uhie.

Green roof impact heat islands.

Extreme heat events often affect our most vulnerable populations first. Green roofs combat the urban heat island effect through three fundamental functions. Heat island effect in cities is mainly because of non natural heat absorbing materials use in buildings and other manmade structures. Green roofs provide shade remove heat from the air and reduce temperatures of the roof surface and surrounding air.

Green roofs repainting dark surfaces and increased tree planting can all help lower temperatures in summer months. A green roof or rooftop garden is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. Plants and soils evaporate moisture. The first is evapotranspiration which is the process of using heat in the air to evaporate water in plants and soil.

Researchers attributed this to the increasing issue of urban heat islands which in turn increased the severity of heat waves in city areas. Natural greenery in the cities was replaced by concrete yards. Using green roofs in cities or other built environments with limited vegetation can moderate the heat island effect particularly during the day. The report is a reminder that avoiding the worst effects of climate change must go beyond reducing emissions to adapting to changing weather.