The New Green- How Sustainable Roofs Can Transform
Conservation
Concerns over energy independence, water conservation,
climate change and waste reduction have pervaded political, environmental, and
scientific discussions in this country for decades. Much time and effort is spent on persuading,
sometimes even coercing, consumers and business to cut their water usage,
conserve energy, and recycle as much as possible. Startlingly, modern conservation efforts regularly
ignore a critical, readily available asset with enormous “green” potential. To
put it shortly- rarely do we look up!
The very roofs over our heads provide ample opportunities for
environmental conservation and a widespread effort to move to green,
sustainable roofs could have a transformative effect on conservation efforts.
How can our roofs make us more energy
independent?
The use of proper insulation systems could result in
enormous energy savings to businesses every year. In addition, during the hottest months of the
year, when air conditioners are running full blast, cool roof surfaces can help
reduce the "heat-island" effect that is seen in urban areas. The term “heat-island effect” describes climate
data which shows that cities are heating up at a rate four times faster than
rural areas- no wonder with the high concentration of vehicles pouring green
house gasses into the air and square-mile upon square-mile of asphalt holding
in the heat of the sun. In essence, cool roofs can slow down the rapid heating
of our nation’s cities while reducing the use of fossil fuels to light our
buildings.
Energy efficiency is not all sustainable roofs have to
offer. The energy potential of our roofs
does not stop with conservation- an energy sustainable roof will both save
energy and produce energy. The Center for
Environmental Innovation in Roofing has noted that "the solar energy potential
of our nation’s roof surfaces could exceed the power of over one dozen Grand
Coulee dams." Those who dismiss
solar power as an impractical substitute for fossil fuels have not considered
the impact that solar panels on the miles of commercial roofs in America could
have on energy production. Consider if businesses
could generate at least half their power needs with solar panels -what that
would mean in terms of increased energy independence? How would we benefit from
such a clean energy revolution?
How can our roofs enhance water reclamation
efforts?
Capturing rooftop storm water can reduce the demand on
municipal water resources. Storm water can
be collected on top of a sustainable roof and then be used for landscaping and
other building-related needs.
How can the roofing industry
contribute to waste reduction efforts?
As in all industries, the roofing industy could benfit
from implementaing a waste redution plan.
The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing reports that over 400
million tons, or 5 percent, of all solid waste generated annually in the United
States comes from roofing materials waste.
Efforts to increase the recycling of roofing materials and lengthen the
membrane life cycle with reinforced coating systems would reduce the waste that
is piling up in our nation's landfills.
The sustainable roof of the future is
here today.
Transforming our nation’s vast network of roofing
surfaces into sustainable roofs requires a comprehensive move towards green
roofs that are energy efficient and resource generating. The Jerry F. Cotello
National Great Rivers Research & Education Center Confluence Field Station in
Alton, Ill. has created an innovative roof design that showcases the multiple
ways that sustainable roofs can become the focal point of modern conservation
efforts. This award winning roof
includes:
- Rooftop vegetation featuring native plants to minimize the impact on
local ecology
- Roof mounted solar tunes that supply over half the building’s
lighting requirements
- Roof mounted solar panels for supplemental building power
- A comprehensive storm water retention system to provide irrigation
for the building site
- High efficiency roof insulation to minimize building heating and cooling
requirements
- A high performance roofing system desinged to extend building
service life
- A rooftop classroom and meeting facilities to expand the usefulnees
of the roof space
This comprehensive effort
at sustainable roofing demonstrates how roofing has become the future of “green”
in this country.
Sustainable roofing has the potential to generate an ever
increasing number of “Green Jobs”
Implementation of the model “green roof” described above
requires the development of new technologies. These technologies will require
new design skills capable of integrating all multiple green features in to an
overall sustainable roof design. The
complex nature of integrating these varied systems and optimizing each as it
works in concert with the whole will be the modern challenge for young
engineers. Investments in this form of
infrastructure, and education for this type of engineering, could change the
nature of conservation world-wide.
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