Green Roof Revolution

Ever considered the roof of a building as a site for growing food? As cities develop and populations increase, there is less and less usable growing space. That is, of course, if we are limited in our perceptions of what we consider usable growing space. Roof tops can provide the necessary space for urban populations to grow food, and to keep energy costs down.

There is a growing interest in green roofs, and in many major cities there are working farms atop large buildings, such as grange farm in brooklyn, ny and eagle street rooftop farm. Different climates require different rooftop solutions, but even in Montreal, Canada there is a booming business for rooftop farms, such as Lufa Farms

Edinburgh has no rooftop farms yet, but Trees Not Trash UK is going to change that! We intend to turn  the roof of the old Dole building at Castle Terrace into a food-producing rooftop farm, and sell our produce at the Farmer's Market which the rooftop will look out over. Want to get involved? email us!

There are many resources for learning about and implementing a green roof, one of which is green roofs today , that provides the following information:

What is a Green Roof?

Green roof refers to a system of roofing that uses plant life for roof covering instead of traditional covering materials. The system of green roofing dates back to the 1960’s but only in recent years it has became a popular alternative to the traditional roofing due to its environmental benefits and savings for heating and cooling. The plants that cover the roof provide an excellent insulation to the building reducing energy consumption significantly but they also act as a natural filter for rainwater which means that they significantly reduce the amount of rain drainage. The plants absorb over 50% of rainwater which would otherwise run into sewage system. The water that is absorbed by the plants on the rooftop then evaporates back into the air. But the benefits of green roof technology do not end in reduction of rainwater.

Green roofing has become increasingly popular in cities because it creates additional green spaces that bring some nature in the concrete and steel jungle. Green roofs in larger buildings often mimic parks and include rich vegetation that does not only provide an additional green space but also attracts wildlife including butterflies, honeybees and other insects as well as birds that can be otherwise rarely seen in urban areas. In addition, green roofs are visually appealing and create an attractive contrast to concrete and steel, while many people take advantage of possibility to grow their own fruits and vegetables as well as flowers on rooftops.

A green roof is covered with plants, most often vegetation that is resistant to weather effects and requires little or no irrigation. Native, hardy, pest- and disease-resistant, and fireproof plants that grow fast and are not invasive are ideal for green roofs. In addition to collecting rainwater, plants on rooftops also absorb the heat which keeps the building warmer during cold winter months, while the growing medium helps keep building cooler during hot summer months. Green roofs have been shown to reduce the costs for cooling and heating for as much as 50 percent offering major financial benefits to building owners. Another major advantage is green roofs over conventional roofing is absorption of air pollutants including carbon dioxide by the plants which helps lower the temperatures in the urban area and reduce the heat island effect.

 According to some estimations, green roof lowers the costs for heating and cooling for over 50%. In addition, green roof systems are extremely durable. It can last as long as 50 years and requires virtually no repairs like many other roofing systems.