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When I think of green roofs, I think of my Lincoln Log set that I had as a kid. It literally had a green roof. From that simple, classic toy, I learned that interlocking logs were more fun than regular logs and that all logs are boring in comparison to Nintendo. When Steve Thomas talks about green roofs on Renovation Nation, he's not referring to Lincoln Logs. He's referring to roofs that don't contribute to the problem of urban heat islands.
An urban heat island is an area of a city or an entire city that is much warmer than it should be. The sun beats down upon the hapless metropolis. The surface areas of the looming skyscrapers and the gaping asphalt roofs absorb the sun's heat like greedy sponges, and the temperature significantly rises.
The denizens living in an urban heat island often develop health problems, and the excessive hotness contributes to the menace of global warming. There are ways to counteract this problem, however.
- New roads and buildings are being coated with reflective paint, and old buildings can be renovated to counteract the problem.
- Asphalt is a key offender when it comes to urban heat islands. It absorbs so much heat. Concrete is a better alternative. It still absorbs heat but much less than asphalt.
- Citizens can pitch in by planting rooftop gardens or covering blacktop roofs with something reflective.
- The more healthy vegetation a city can maintain the better. Bring plants back to cities. I know. It's kind of like kicking out a roommate and asking him to move back in when you can't make rent. Plants forgive. They don't have brains that can hold the concept of "grudge."
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