Do Cities Need More Green Roofs?
Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Engineering
Authors: The Kid Should See This, NPR
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video from The Kid Should See This shows students how green roofs reduce stormwater runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, insulate the indoor temperature of buildings, and help reduce the urban heat-island effect in cities.
- There are two videos and a brief article about the green roof on the Javits Convention Center in New York City, which has lowered energy use in the building by twenty-six percent and saved them more than three million dollars.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students will be inspired by the dramatic impact that a green roof can have on communities and the environment.
- The brief article contains a number of links to interesting resources on green roofs.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the terms impermeable, urban, and pathogens.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Environmental clubs or science classes can look into the feasibility of installing a green roof on the school or other public building in their community.
- Biology or English language arts students can work in groups to research which types of plants are best for green roofs and then present their findings to the class.
- Science and engineering students can use this resource for lessons about stormwater pollution, watersheds, the physics of water flowing over impervious vs permeable surfaces, and incorporating nature-based solutions into urban stormwater design.
- Other resources on this topic include this Khan Academy video and assessment on the impacts of urbanization on the environment, this SubjectToClimate lesson on the importance of green spaces in cities, and this video that explains the link between racism and a lack of trees in some urban spaces.
This resource is a 4-minute video and accompanying website that looks at some of the ways in which green roofs can improve city landscapes. One example is presented that increases habitats for wildlife, cools the surrounding air, retains water, and reduces energy consumption needed for summertime cooling. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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