Green Roofing Benefits:
Environmental:
Mitigates stormwater runoff, filters pollutants and CO2 out of the air, filters pollutants and heavy metals out of rain water and reduces the Urban Island Heat Effect (Corrie Clark, Peter Abrams & F. Brian Talbot, Environmental Science & Technology, February 9, 2008, 42 (6), pp 2155-2161 and Pathogens in Urban Stormwater, 2006-2009 Special Report, Great Lakes Water Institute).
Functional:
Green Roofs reduce sound reflection by up to 3 dB and improve sound insulation by up to 8 dB. This is important for people who live near airports, noisy discotheques, or industrial parks. Additionally, electromagnetic waves from transmitting stations can be effectively shielded by the vegetation layer (International Green Roof Association)
Provides amenity space for building users (in effect replacing a yard or patio) and additional space to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers in an urban environment and restores biodiversity in built up areas (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities)
Psychological:
Has been shown to help patients at hospitals recover at a quicker rate (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities), Increases feeling of well-being for residents and workers in an office therefore increasing productivity and work-place satisfaction yielding higher job retention rates (Klitzman, S., & Stellman, J, (1989). The impact of the physical environment on the psychological well-being of office workers. Social Science of Medicine, 29(6), 733-742.)
Helps increase business moral (Tina Casey, Triple Pundit, “ConEdison Study Reveals New Role for Green Roofs).
Economical:
Reduces roof replacement costs by increasing the roofs lifetime through protecting the membrane from UV rays and extreme temperature fluctuations
Installation of a green roof can greatly improve the insulation qualities of a roof, reducing heat flow as much as 70-90% in a warm climate and 10-30% in a cold climate (Penn State University Green Roof Research)
Reduces water bill if the green roof system is connected to an on-grade stormwater recycling system, and cost breaks on utility bills and grants are available (Green Roofs for Stormwater Management Control, EPA/600/R-09/026 – February, 2009, United State Environmental Protection Agency)
Increases value of your property and rent for tenants by an average of 15% (UMASS – Boston, “Green Roofs for the Muddy River”)
Green Infrastructure:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=298
Low-Impact Development
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/test_lid_index.cfm
http://www.milwaukeerenaissance.com/CommunityGrowersCSAFarm/HomePage
http://www.mpl.org/file/green_index.htm
http://www.wisn.com/news/23518836/detail.html