Comments on: Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs – Could Your City be Next? http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/ Patriotism that loves our country, our land, and our planet Wed, 23 May 2012 01:08:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Breuning http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-169329 Breuning Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:35:31 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-169329 I recommend everybody this article - things go even faster than I thought - an wrote in half a year ago. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-postpones-green-rooftop-requirement/article1885753/ I recommend everybody this article – things go even faster than I thought – an wrote in half a year ago.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-postpones-green-rooftop-requirement/article1885753/

]]> By: Paul http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-76142 Paul Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:36:21 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-76142 Is there a real benefit to green roofs when compared to solar panels? I'm not convinced. Solar panels provide energy that the building below it is using. Reducing the load on the electrical grid will reduce emissions from power generation facilities...this will also reduce the heat island effect of cities as the solar panels will absorb some of the solar radiation that'd otherwise become heat. Now, if you put up a green roof instead you gain insulation bonuses. You also now require fertilizer, landscaping, water, etc. And all this must be brought to the roof. Also, does having an un-mowed roof subject you to nuisance laws? I'd take a look at the google campus if you want to see how a roof done right works. Is there a real benefit to green roofs when compared to solar panels? I'm not convinced. Solar panels provide energy that the building below it is using. Reducing the load on the electrical grid will reduce emissions from power generation facilities…this will also reduce the heat island effect of cities as the solar panels will absorb some of the solar radiation that'd otherwise become heat.

Now, if you put up a green roof instead you gain insulation bonuses. You also now require fertilizer, landscaping, water, etc. And all this must be brought to the roof. Also, does having an un-mowed roof subject you to nuisance laws? I'd take a look at the google campus if you want to see how a roof done right works.

]]> By: Bill http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-75840 Bill Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:23:07 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-75840 As an environmentalist and roofing contractor I have been involved in environmentally conscious roofing since 1980. The main function of a roof is to make a building watertight. Just a small amount of water allows mold and mildew to grow causing a myriad of medical problems. Medical attention equals energy use. Improper materials, added weight, non sustainable materials, expense and materials that do now work are major issues in the roofing industry. Every building, residential, commercial and industrial have a roof and the consequences of there failure impact all of us. The white roof option saves significant cooling cost and energy use. White acrylic roofs are water based and have low Volatile Organix Compounds (VOC's). This means very little Greenhouse Gases as in asphalt roofs made from petroleum. Less power is being generated so less coal or oil being burned. According to the US EPA a black tar roof reaches 166 degrees F on an 85 degree day. High performance white coatings never exceed 92 degrees F. And they cost less than tar roofs. There are many solutions available now for many of the environmental problems that Humans are facing. Because this is an emergency situation it would be wise to embrace them to get the ball rolling and the benefits accruing. Debate and delay are not the friends of our planet. As an environmentalist and roofing contractor I have been involved in environmentally conscious roofing since 1980. The main function of a roof is to make a building watertight. Just a small amount of water allows mold and mildew to grow causing a myriad of medical problems. Medical attention equals energy use. Improper materials, added weight, non sustainable materials, expense and materials that do now work are major issues in the roofing industry. Every building, residential, commercial and industrial have a roof and the consequences of there failure impact all of us.

The white roof option saves significant cooling cost and energy use. White acrylic roofs are water based and have low Volatile Organix Compounds (VOC's). This means very little Greenhouse Gases as in asphalt roofs made from petroleum. Less power is being generated so less coal or oil being burned. According to the US EPA a black tar roof reaches 166 degrees F on an 85 degree day. High performance white coatings never exceed 92 degrees F. And they cost less than tar roofs.

There are many solutions available now for many of the environmental problems that Humans are facing. Because this is an emergency situation it would be wise to embrace them to get the ball rolling and the benefits accruing. Debate and delay are not the friends of our planet.

]]> By: Chelsey http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-58266 Chelsey Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:55:06 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-58266 It's about time that the larege cities of todays world are mandating green roofs. It erks me that the biggest concern is the expenses, because it's either spend a lot now, and save the earth and human life, or don't and regret it later. more designs should be encouraged, supported and proposed for large cities and even smaller cities who are continually building out, verses up! lets work together and change the world! It's about time that the larege cities of todays world are mandating green roofs. It erks me that the biggest concern is the expenses, because it's either spend a lot now, and save the earth and human life, or don't and regret it later.

more designs should be encouraged, supported and proposed for large cities and even smaller cities who are continually building out, verses up!

lets work together and change the world!

]]> By: Adrian http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-56392 Adrian Thu, 28 May 2009 12:02:41 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-56392 I dont see it as a negative decision to force developers to build green roofs on new projects. Such a law has been in place since 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. Developers are still doing business if only at a lower bottom line. Companies would not be affected by this since the cost savings of cooling and lower absenteeism would more than compensate for the initial purchase or rental cost. In Chicago's city hall for example their green roof has saved the city $3600/yr in cooling costs. <a href="http://www.cleanenergyawards.com/top-navigation/nominees-projects/nominee-detail/project/27/?cHash=6e8c97abe8" rel="nofollow">http://www.cleanenergyawards.com/top-navigation/n...</a> I dont see it as a negative decision to force developers to build green roofs on new projects. Such a law has been in place since 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. Developers are still doing business if only at a lower bottom line. Companies would not be affected by this since the cost savings of cooling and lower absenteeism would more than compensate for the initial purchase or rental cost. In Chicago's city hall for example their green roof has saved the city $3600/yr in cooling costs.

http://www.cleanenergyawards.com/top-navigation/n…

]]> By: The Urban Jungle re-imagined: Mayor Daley Pushes Green Roofs : Red, Green, and Blue http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-55146 The Urban Jungle re-imagined: Mayor Daley Pushes Green Roofs : Red, Green, and Blue Mon, 18 May 2009 18:02:54 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-55146 [...] everyone — be they corporate or non-profit — on the same page.  Mandatory green roofs might work for Canada, but here… well, let’s just say that the name of the Free Market still has some [...] [...] everyone — be they corporate or non-profit — on the same page.  Mandatory green roofs might work for Canada, but here… well, let’s just say that the name of the Free Market still has some [...]

]]> By: Toronto One Step Closer to an EXPANDED Green Roof Law : Red, Green, and Blue http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-53652 Toronto One Step Closer to an EXPANDED Green Roof Law : Red, Green, and Blue Fri, 08 May 2009 16:24:26 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-53652 [...] City of Toronto’s Planning and Growth Committee met earlier this week to discuss the proposed and highly controversial ‘Green Roof’ by-law. A green roof is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil that has been planted [...] [...] City of Toronto’s Planning and Growth Committee met earlier this week to discuss the proposed and highly controversial ‘Green Roof’ by-law. A green roof is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil that has been planted [...]

]]> By: Jorg Breuning http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-53090 Jorg Breuning Mon, 04 May 2009 11:24:49 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-53090 It is funny to see how things in North America are going from one extreme to another – always and no matter what it is. Not even 10 years ago roofs in North America had only the function to protect the inside of buildings against the elements and to generate a descend profit for roofers because there was a constant need for fixing and repair. Now with the green wave from Europe everybody’s attention is on the roof and has ideas how wonderful it would be if we created a paradise up there. Since we successfully destroyed the paradise on the ground dreamers believe roofs – especially green roof – can bring things back, right into the city and with a huge job and profit machine. I would like to suggest four things: 1st: Stop dreaming, start thinking. 2nd: Fix the problems on the ground. This is cheaper, more efficient and less risk for the investment of a building. 3rd: Standardize green roof technology first as it is in other countries since decades. 4th: The Cities should be a role model with countless green roof installations first, go from there and make a law based on this experience. As more “green” you request by law the more costs will be generated and environmental benefits will dramatically decrease at the same time. At the end a new industry will be dead before even started, no help for the environment and a bigger hole in the pocket of the people than before. This is a lesson learned from Europe where things are obviously even more ahead than I thought. FYI: In Europe are many laws to force "green" but based on what I said above plus they try to fix the environmental problems before they are a problem. Jorg Breuning It is funny to see how things in North America are going from one extreme to another – always and no matter what it is.

Not even 10 years ago roofs in North America had only the function to protect the inside of buildings against the elements and to generate a descend profit for roofers because there was a constant need for fixing and repair.

Now with the green wave from Europe everybody’s attention is on the roof and has ideas how wonderful it would be if we created a paradise up there.

Since we successfully destroyed the paradise on the ground dreamers believe roofs – especially green roof – can bring things back, right into the city and with a huge job and profit machine.

I would like to suggest four things:

1st: Stop dreaming, start thinking.

2nd: Fix the problems on the ground. This is cheaper, more efficient and less risk for the investment of a building.

3rd: Standardize green roof technology first as it is in other countries since decades.

4th: The Cities should be a role model with countless green roof installations first, go from there and make a law based on this experience.

As more “green” you request by law the more costs will be generated and environmental benefits will dramatically decrease at the same time. At the end a new industry will be dead before even started, no help for the environment and a bigger hole in the pocket of the people than before. This is a lesson learned from Europe where things are obviously even more ahead than I thought.

FYI: In Europe are many laws to force "green" but based on what I said above plus they try to fix the environmental problems before they are a problem.

Jorg Breuning

]]> By: Alive Structures Offering New Green Roof Tours Now for NYC Wildflower Week : Green Building Elements http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-52952 Alive Structures Offering New Green Roof Tours Now for NYC Wildflower Week : Green Building Elements Sun, 03 May 2009 19:09:11 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-52952 [...] Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs - Could Your City be Next? [...] [...] Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs – Could Your City be Next? [...]

]]> By: One Penny Sheet » Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs - Could Your City be Next? http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/21/toronto-trying-to-force-green-roofs-could-your-city-be-next/comment-page-1/#comment-51584 One Penny Sheet » Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs - Could Your City be Next? Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:29:36 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=2968#comment-51584 [...] via Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs - Could Your City be Next? : Red, Green, and Blue. [...] [...] via Toronto Trying to Force Green Roofs – Could Your City be Next? : Red, Green, and Blue. [...]

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