We chat with Steven Peck, president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the Toronto-based industry association that supports the North American green roof and green wall industries. He talks about about what goes into a green roof, what’s new in green roofs, and how home owners can find out more about green roofs.
The need for green roofs goes beyond creating more space to garden. Peck talks about the urban heat island effect, which can make urban areas up to 10°C warmer than rural areas. He explains that the effect is the result of the removal of vegetation—which is replaced by surfaces that radiate heat.
He says that vegetation is like a natural form of air conditioning—and green roofs keep buildings—and the city—cooler.