Heat Islands Newsroom Archive
- 2015
March 2015
- Executive Order Incentivizes Deployment of Green Infrastructure Exit (March 19, 2015) – President Obama signed an executive order that encourages federal agencies to increase climate resilience through measures such as installing green infrastructure on federal properties to manage stormwater and wastewater.
- U.S. Forest Service Examines Environmental Benefits of Green Spaces Across Income Levels Exit (March 19, 2015) – A new U.S. Forest Service review found that lower-income groups tend to have worse health outcomes and are less likely to live near green space. The review makes recommendations for addressing research gaps related to income inequality and access to green space, including how ecosystem services—especially those related to social interactions, physical activity, and climate adaptation—are being assessed in disadvantaged communities; examining the role of green space programing on sense of place; and investigating how changes to green space influence the level of outdoor physical activity.
- Study Finds Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, Delivers $370,000 in Annual Benefits Exit (March 14, 2015) – A tree inventory in Des Moines’s 1,500-acre Water Works Park finds that it provides nearly $370,000 in annual energy reduction, stormwater, air quality, aesthetics, and greenhouse gas reduction benefits.
- Santa Monica School Converts Blackspace into Greenspace Exit (March 7, 2015) – A local Santa Monica School converted a large expanse of blacktop into a greenspace for environmental learning, which includes 15 new trees.
- Columbia University Report Finds that Urban Heat Island Effect Lowers Fog in Southern California Exit (March 5, 2015) – Researchers at Columbia University released a study that finds that the urban heat island effect contributed to a 63 percent decrease in fog in Los Angeles over the last 60 years, resulting in reduced water reaching coastal ecosystems. In Ontario, California, the researchers found that fog declined by nearly 90 percent in the same timeframe.
February 2015
- U.S. Forest Service Releases Report Quantifying Benefits of Urban Forests Exit (February 24, 2015) – The U.S. Forest Service released a report that estimates that trees cover about 35 percent of urban areas, and provide an economic value of $2.4 trillion in reduced air pollution and building shading (which reduces energy costs).
- Seattle Office Building Installs Green Roof Exit (February 18, 2015) – A Seattle company installed a 54,000 square-foot green roof with a rain harvesting tank, resulting in a net project savings of about $70,000.
- Northern Illinois University Researchers Find Urban Heat Island Effect Contributes to More Thunderstorms Exit (February 17, 2015) – In a recent study, researchers at Northern Illinois University found that for any given warm-season day in the 17-year study, there was about a 5 percent greater chance that Atlanta would experience a thunderstorm compared with a similarly sized rural area. The researchers determined that the urban heat island effect contributed to this disparity.
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection Announces Funding for Six Stormwater Management Projects Exit (February 12, 2015) – The New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced that six stormwater management projects will receive $3 million in funding through the Green Infrastructure Grant program. Funded projects include green roofs and rooftop farms.
- Kokomo, Indiana Receives $20,000 Urban Forestry Grant Exit (February 2, 2015) – The Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department received a $20,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to perform a comprehensive tree inventory of the City’s 33 parks and install interpretive signs describing the benefits of urban forestry throughout the park system.
January 2015
- Researchers Find Cities Are Becoming Hotter, Less Windy Exit (January 30, 2015) – A new study in the Journal of Environmental Research Letters examined the changing climates of 217 small (population of 250,000) and large (population above 5 million) urban areas around the world between 1973 and 2012. The study finds that 48 percent of the cities showed an increased trend toward more extreme hot days, compared to only 2 percent that saw a decrease. The study also finds that 75 percent of the urban areas saw declines in extreme windy days, while only 10 percent saw an increase.
- Greater Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Installs Green Roof Exit (January 29, 2015) – The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago installed a green roof at the Racine Avenue Pumping Station. The roof occupies 4,500 square feet, uses weather-resistant plants, reduces stormwater runoff, and lowers heating costs.
- Urban Tree Growth & Longevity Working Group Releases Study on Urban Tree Data Exit (January 26, 2015) – The Urban Tree Growth & Longevity Working Group—an independent collaboration of scientists and professionals—released a study that assesses the accuracy of field data collected by minimally trained volunteers and interns.
- Philadelphia Parks Department Launches Three Urban Forestry Experiments Exit (January 23, 2014) – The Philadelphia Parks Department is launching experiments at roughly 30-acre sites in Cobbs Creek and Wissahickon Valley parks to plant tree species capable of surviving in temperature conditions expected at the end of this century.
- Storm Lake, Iowa Receives Grant to Complete Tree Inventory Exit (January 22, 2015) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources awarded a grant titled “Sustainable Urban Forestry Training and Assistance for Communities over 5,000” to provide training to municipal staff, non-profits, and interested citizens so that Storm Lake can complete a public tree inventory, prepare for Emerald Ash Borer issues, and create a sustainable urban forestry program.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Awards Over $900,000 in Urban Forestry Grants Exit (January 14, 2015) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is awarding nearly $930,000 for 40 urban forestry projects in communities across New York to help protect air, water, and natural resources, and to enhance urban communities.
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Scientists Model Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (January 13, 2015) – Scientists from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research —an earth science research consortium of more than 100 member colleges and universities—have found that differences in air turbulence between rural and urban areas are the primary cause of the daytime urban heat island effect, with the nighttime differences dominated more by differences in vegetation cover.
- Indiana University Examines Urban Tree Survival and Growth Exit (January 10, 2015) – Indiana University researchers are surveying more than 1,300 trees in Indianapolis to understand what characteristics predict survival and growth of trees in neighborhood tree-planting projects. The researchers find that tree size, resident tenure, and correct mulching are positively related to tree success, while high stem diameter (more than 2 inches) at planting, crown dieback, and lower trunk damage are all negatively correlated with tree success.
- Pascagoula, Mississippi Awarded $50,000 Grant to Restore Urban Forest Exit (January 8, 2015) – Pascagoula, Mississippi received a $50,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant under its Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program to restore an acre of urban forest, install two rain gardens, and remove one acre of invasive plant species.
- Modesto, California Increases Urban Forestry Spending and Initiatives Exit (January 3, 2015) – The Forestry division of Modesto, California is hiring workers, trimming trees, attacking tree-killing parasites, restarting the city nursery, and planting trees for the first time in nearly 10 years. The division is reallocating about $290,000 from community forestry’s $3 million budget to hire six permanent maintenance workers.
- Portland Enacts Tree Code That Requires Homeowners to Obtain Permissions Before Cutting Down Trees Exit (January 1, 2015) – Portland is adopting a new city tree code designed to require homeowners to obtain a permit to cut down trees, with fines of up to $1000 for those who fail to comply. Portland now becomes one of a growing number of cities in North America to adopt this type of requirement.
- 2014
December 2014
- Greenpoint, Brooklyn Receives $2 Million Grant to Plant 500 New Trees Exit(December 17, 2014) – Greenpoint, Brooklyn received a $2 million grant from the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund to plant 500 neighborhood trees. The “Greening Greenpoint” initiative, which is partnering with the MillionTreesNYC program, will also include removing up to 25,000 square feet of impervious concrete around 675 existing tree beds and training 10 high school students to participate in an urban and community forestry paid internship program.
- Savannah River Remediation in Georgia Installs Cool RoofsExit (December 14, 2014) – Savannah River Remediation in Savannah, Georgia installed two cool roofs on office buildings that are expected to reduce rooftop temperatures from 150 to 100 degrees, with corresponding reductions in cooling costs.
- Idaho Department of Lands Study Examines Ecosystem Benefits of Trees Exit (December 11, 2014) – A study by the Idaho Department of Lands finds that trees provide $900,000 in ecosystem benefits to cities in eastern Idaho, and that there are about 250,000 trees shading 7.6 percent of the area, with a replacement value exceeding $450 million.
- Researchers Examine Efficacy of Low- and No-Cost Tree Planting Programs Exit (December 4, 2014) – Researchers examined tree planting programs in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, and found that free or reduced-cost programs for tree planting on private lands were most effective in the most affluent neighborhoods with the most existing tree canopy. The researchers aim to create a framework for testing which land management strategies are most effective, where, and with whom in order to improve the ability to plan and enhance urban sustainability and resilience through urban forestry.
- Queens, New York Park Collecting Urban Forestry Data Exit (December 3, 2014) – Alley Pond Park in Queens, New York is collecting soil temperature, precipitation, and other data from woodlands as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s “Smart Forests” Exit initiative . Data that previously took months to distribute can now be shared within hours of collection.
- Miami Neighborhoods Receive Grants to Plant 200 Trees Exit (December 2, 2014) – Two Miami-Dade county neighborhoods located in areas with above-average temperatures received $100,000 in grants from the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network to plant 200 trees as part of the Million Trees Miami campaign.
November 2014
- New York City, New York Developer Installs 2 Green Roofs Exit (November 26, 2014) – A New York City, New York developer installed two green roofs totaling 20,000 square feet at its Manhattan office building. The roof is intended to improve stormwater retention and reduce the urban heat island effect.
- University of Wisconsin Researchers Examine Causes of Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (November 25, 2014) – University of Wisconsin researchers examined how temperatures in Madison, Wisconsin vary at the neighborhood level. The researchers found that the density of urban development and lack of vegetation had the greatest impact on temperature variation, and that warming within Madison was more pronounced during the summer, and particularly at night, under calm, clear conditions.
October 2014
- EPA Releases Report on Benefits of Green Infrastructure Exit(October 27, 2014) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report highlighting the many benefits of green infrastructure, including reducing the urban heat island effect.
- Climate Wisconsin Documents Impacts of Extreme Heat Events Exit (October 27, 2014) – Climate Wisconsin released a video that documents the impacts of extreme heat events in Wisconsin, where deaths from such events since 1982 outnumber fatalities from all other natural disasters combined . Climate Wisconsin cites a report from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts that concludes that by the middle of the century, Wisconsin residents are projected to experience 1.5 to 4 more weeks of daytime temperatures exceeding 90ºF.
September 2014
- Ninaski Brewing Company in Eugene, Oregon, Installs Green Roof Exit(September 2, 2014) – Ninaski Brewing Company installed a 6,100-square foot green roof that reduces stormwater runoff and moderates runoff water temperature.
- Tree Canopy Project Receives Grant in Catonsville, Maryland Exit(September 3, 2014) – A project to increase the tree canopy in Catonsville, Maryland, by planting 1,000 trees by 2020 received a $10,000 grant from Baltimore Gas and Electric.
- Montana Completes Urban Forest Inventory Exit(September 8, 2014) – The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has completed an urban forest inventory that assesses tree size, health, species, and location within 39 communities across the state.
- Forest Heights, Maryland, Plants 1,100 Trees, Intends to Plant 500 More Exit(September 8, 2014) – The town of Forest Heights, Maryland, has planted 1,100 trees since 2008, and intends to plant 500 additional trees with the help of 150 University of Maryland students.
- University of Iowa Installs Second Green Roof Exit(September 9, 2014) – The University of Iowa installed its second, 600-square foot green roof on top of the Seamans Center engineering building.
- Los Angeles, California Apartment Buildings Feature Cool Roof Designs Exit(September 9, 2014) – In Los Angeles, California, the Coronado Place and Knob Hill Apartments are built with newly installed cool roof systems intended to increase building energy efficiency for low-income residents.
- Arizona State University Researchers Find that Urban Forest in Phoenix, Arizona Can Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect Exit(September 23, 2014) – Arizona State University researchers released a study concluding that, for a typical neighborhood in Phoenix, increasing tree canopy cover to 25% from the current level of about 10% could reduce air temperature by 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit. For a bare neighborhood with no vegetation, the researchers found that adding 25% canopy could reduce air temperatures by 7.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Releases Interactive Map on Rooftop Reflectance in California Cities (September 23, 2014) – Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released an interactive map that uses aerial imagery to provide data on the reflectivity of roofs in Bakersfield, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, California.
- Western Illinois University Installs Green Roof Exit(September 29, 2014) – Western Illinois University installed a 9,720-foot green roof composed of seasonal plants.
- Sunnyvale, California, Passes Urban Forest Management Plan Exit(September 24, 2014) – The city of Sunnyvale, California, approved an urban forest management plan that aims to increase the city's tree canopy, maintain street trees, foster community support for maintaining and improving the city's urban forest, and encourage proper tree management on private property.
August 2014
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District Announces Partnership to Promote Stormwater Management System Exit(August 5, 2014) – The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District announced a partnership to monitor the performance of a new stormwater management system that combines a blue roof with a green roof to harvest rainwater and control its release. While the project was not designed specifically to reduce heat islands, the green roof provides cooling as a co-benefit.
- Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Installs Green Roof Exit(August 8, 2014) – Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, features a 27,000-square-foot green roof that is planted with grasses and native plants, captures rainwater, and grows herbs for stadium food. Harvested rainwater is used in all toilets and to irrigate the playing field.
- Odette Estate Winery in Napa Valley, California, Installs Green Roof (August 14, 2014) – The Odette Estate Winery in Napa, California, installed an 8,500-square foot green roof that harvest rainwater in an underwater irrigation system to prevent water from evaporating.
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources Announces Urban Forest Restoration at Forest Park In Everest, Washington Exit(August 15, 2014) – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced an urban forestry restoration project at Forest Park in Everest, Washington, to remove invasive species and plant new trees.
- Spokane, Washington Begins Tree Planting Initiative Exit(August 15, 2014) – The city of Spokane, Washington, approved the “Forest Spokane” program, which intends to plant 10,000 new trees in the next two years.
- Climate Central Ranks Urban Heat Island Effect in U.S. Cities Exit(August 20, 2014) – Climate Central has released a report that analyzes impacts of the urban heat island effect in 60 of the largest U.S. cities over the past 10 years. The analysis finds that, on average across the 60 cities, the maximum single-day temperature difference between urban and rural areas was 17.5°F, and the three cities with the most intense urban heat island effect are Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Denver. The study also found that in three quarters (45 of 60) of the cities examined, urbanized areas are warming faster than adjacent rural locations. On average across all 60 cities, urban summer temperatures were 2.4°F hotter than rural temperatures. The difference was more pronounced at night, with average summer overnight temperatures more than 4°F hotter in cities than in surrounding rural areas.
- Fire Station in Deltona, Florida Installs Cool Roof Exit(August 19, 2014) – A fire station in Deltona, Florida is constructed with both a cool roof and a green roof.
- Price of Green Roofs Projected to Decrease by 2017 Exit(August 21, 2014) – Lux Research, an independent research and analysis firm, released a study estimating that the cost of green roofs will decrease from the current price of $38 per square foot to $23 by 2017.
- Minnesota Creates Stormwater Crediting System Exit(August 28, 2014) – Minnesota developed a credit system that incentivizes communities to invest in trees, rather than stormwater pipes. The system gives credit to properly planted trees that reduce stormwater runoff. While the credit system was not designed to address urban heat islands, trees help reduce heat as a co-benefit.
July 2014
- University of Minnesota Researchers Examine Heat Island Effect Exit (July 2, 2014) - Ongoing University of Minnesota research using 200 temperature sensors placed around the Twin Cities has found that Minneapolis and St. Paul have about a 3-degree temperature difference compared with surrounding areas.
- Yale Researchers Examine Primary Causes of Urban Heat Island Effect Exit(July 9, 2014) - In an analysis of 65 cities across North America, researchers found that variation in how efficiently urban areas release heat back into the lower atmosphere—through the process of convection—is the dominant factor in the daytime UHI effect.
- ASTM International Announces Green Roof Design Document Exit(July 14, 2014) – ASTM International released its “Guide for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems,” which is intended to serve as a reference for green roof designers.
- Study Examines Urban Heat Island’s Effect on Tree Mortality in the Southeast Exit (July 24, 2014) - New research from North Carolina State University shows that urban heat islands are slowly killing red maples in the southeastern United States. One factor is that researchers have found warmer temperatures increase the number of young produced by the gloomy scale insect—a significant tree pest—by 300%, which in turn leads to 200 times more adult gloomy scales on urban trees.
- Milwaukee Public Library Installs Green Roof Exit (July 25, 2014) – A 33,000 square foot green roof on the Milwaukee Public Library has prevented 2.82 million gallons of rainwater from entering the city's storm sewer system since it was installed.
- University of Iowa Deploys Green Roof at Medical Campus Exit (July 28, 2014) - The Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building will feature a multi-level green roof totaling 6,440 square feet of plants.
- Charleston, West Virginia Announces Tree Mapping Initiative Exit (July 29, 2014) – Charleston, West Virginia, announced an initiative to undertake a full tree census at the state capitol.
June 2014
- Ann Arbor City Council Approves Urban Forestry Plan Exit (June 3, 2014) - The city’s first comprehensive plan for managing Ann Arbor’s urban forest has been given approval by the city council.
- Virginia Tech Researchers Examine Benefits of Green Roofs on Stormwater Runoff Exit (June 10, 2014) – The Virginia Tech research team found that the deeper the vegetation, the better the roofs controlled stormwater runoff. Overall, green roofs retained about 50% of the stormwater, compared with about 6% for conventional flat roofs.
- American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Releases Urban Heat Island Mitigation Survey Exit (June 17, 2014) - This report profiles the causes, impacts, strategies, and social and institutional context of city action on heat island mitigation in the sampled cities. It found that heat waves and other disasters are motivating cities to implement heat-mitigation strategies.
- Georgia Tech Researcher Finds that Louisville Requires More Trees to Counteract Urban Heat Island Effect Exit(June 18, 2014) – The urban heat island effect in Louisville ranked highest among 50 of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, according to a study by Brian Stone, a professor of city and regional planning at Georgia Tech. The study found that Louisville has room to add about 1.2 million trees.
- Too Hot to Handle Exit (June 23, 2014) - The New York Times’ health correspondent Jane Brody reports on the risks to human health from extreme heat events, both today and under future climate change scenarios.
- Study Finds that Green Roofs Can Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (June 25, 2014) – Princeton University researchers tested their model on the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area during a four-day heat wave and found that a reduction of surface temperature of 1 °C could be achieved if 30% of all roofs in the area were green or cool roofs.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants (June 26, 2014) - The grants provide funding that will help enhance urban forest stewardship, support new employment opportunities, and help build resilience in the face of a changing climate.
- AC Trees Announces Urban Forestry Grants to 12 Communities Exit (June 30, 2014) - Funding will support local grassroots organizations to plant, maintain, and harvest fruit and nut trees in 12 cities across the country from California to New Hampshire.
May 2014
- Arizona State University Releases Study on the Impact of Air Conditioners on Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (May 15, 2014) – Arizona State University researchers have found that excess heat from air conditioners running during the night leads to higher outside temperatures, worsening the urban heat island effect and increasing cooling demands.
- Louisville Awards $115,700 Tree Canopy Assessment Contract Exit (May 7, 2014) – Louisville city officials awarded a contract worth $115,700 to a firm to complete a tree canopy assessment by the end of the year. The city will use the assessment to set priorities for tree planting to address urban heat, stormwater management, and other concerns.
- American University Researcher Studies Impact of Green Roofs on Pollution Exit (May 14, 2014) – An American University researcher is studying the ability of green roofs to prevent pollutants from entering the Anacostia and Potomac rivers.
- Butte, Montana Establishes $2 Million Tree Planting Program Exit (May 24, 2014) – A $2 million tree planting project in Butte aims to establish species diversification, stabilize the soil, and prevent soil erosion on Butte Hill, the site of former copper mines.
April 2014
- University of Maryland Sustainability Fund Awards $50,000 in Green Roof Grants Exit (April 3, 2014) – The University of Maryland Sustainability Fund awarded $50,000 to the university’s facilities management department for projects that either include a green roof or a rainwater harvesting system.
- People Who Have Trees Are More Likely to Participate in a Tree-Planting Program, Study Finds Exit (April 15, 2014) – A new study indicates that homeowners with street trees, and ones living in older homes, are more likely to participate in a tree-planting program.
- White Roofs are More Economic than Green Roofs, Study Finds Exit (April 22, 2014) – A new report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that white roofs are three times more effective at countering climate change than green roofs.
- Menomonie, Wisconsin, Urban Forestry Board Announces Urban Forestry ProgramExit (April 9, 2014) – The Menomonie Urban Forestry Board announced the Trees for Everyone Everywhere (TREE) initiative, a cost-sharing program for tree planting in the city.
- New York Department of Environmental Conservation Awards $797,437 in Urban Forestry Grants Exit (April 26, 2014) – The New York Department of Environmental Conservation awarded $797,437 in urban forestry grants to 34 cities, towns, villages, and non-profits.
- Survey Finds Green Roof Square Footage Increased 10 Percent from 2012 Exit (April 24, 2014) – Green Roofs for Healthy Cities released its Annual Green Roof Industry Survey, which finds that the North American green roof industry grew by 10 percent in 2013 over 2012.
- Nashville Music City Center Completed with Green Roof Exit (April 23, 2014) – The Nashville Music City Center achieved LEED Gold certification, in part for its 175,000 square foot green roof and 360,000 gallon rainwater harvesting and recycling system.
- New Orleans Sustainable Village Complete, Along with Green Roofing Exit (April 21, 2014) – Global Green USA completed its Holy Cross Project in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, which contains green roofs and bioswales to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve permeability.
March 2014
- New York City Offers $6 Million in Green Project Grants Exit (March 4, 2014) – The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging community groups, non-profits, and property owners to apply for $6 million in new funding for green infrastructure projects.
- Seattle Department of Transportation Plants 500 Trees Exit (March 31, 2014) – The Seattle Department of Transportation planted approximately 500 trees in West Seattle and Rainier Beach.
- TD Bank and Arbor Day Foundation Announce 2014 TD Green Streets Grant Recipients Exit (March 4, 2014) – Ten municipalities were each awarded $20,000 to support innovation in urban forestry.
- New Haven Urban Resources Initiative Receives $30,000 Grant to Promote Benefits of Trees Exit (March 13, 2013) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has awarded $30,000 to New Haven’s Urban Forestry Initiative to improve outreach strategies and increase citizen involvement in urban forestry programs that enhance aesthetics and reduce cooling costs.
- Oklahoma Arbor Week Initiative Seeks to Plant Trees to Reduce Urban Pollution Exit (March 20, 2014) – The City of Edmond, Oklahoma celebrated Oklahoma Arbor Week by planting trees throughout the city for enhanced aesthetics and air quality, erosion prevention, and energy savings.
- Austin Creates Urban Forest Master Plan Exit (March 26, 2014) – The City of Austin, Texas adopted an Urban Forest Master Plan with guidelines that city departments should address, including protecting trees during development, creating tree canopy cover goals, and recycling green waste.
- Iowa Museum Installs Green Roof Exit (March 25, 2014) – The Curatorial Center at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa will install a green roof using a $50,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation. The roof will be covered in prairie grasses, goldenrod, yellow cornflower, and other plants native to the area.
February 2014
- Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis Researcher Publishes Results of Climate Study Exit (February 5, 2014) – Researchers at the Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis at the University of North Georgia introduced a new framework and terminology for thinking about and studying urbanization and its effects on the climate system.
- Houston Urban Forestry Event Focuses on Benefits of Trees Exit (February 11, 2014) – Northwest Harris County, Texas, gained more than 1,000 new trees during the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council's 2014 Tree Planting Competition. The contest is designed to help educate people on proper ways to plant trees and on the benefits of urban forestry for the community.
- Heat Island Reduction Strategies Could Curb Warming from Urban Growth, Study Finds Exit (February 12, 2014) – Researchers examined six “megapolitan” regions in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, the Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic to predict how much they would warm under different urban growth and development scenarios. According to the study, urban areas can offset that warming through strategies such as slowing their expansion, painting roofs white to reflect heat, or planting rooftop vegetation to cool the air.
- Keeping Urban Trees Healthy During Drought Exit (February 24, 2014) – Watering and caring for urban trees during drought is important. Shaded landscapes retain soil moisture and keep the city cool, and when it does rain, a mature tree can capture thousands of gallons of rainwater in its canopy and root zone, sinking that rain into the aquifer instead of allowing it to run off into storm drains.
January 2014
- The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center Wins 2014 AIA Honor Award for Architecture Exit (January 10, 2014) – The revamped Brooklyn Botanic Garden unveiled an undulating green roof that will capture and reuse over 200,000 gallons of rainwater each year.
- San Diego State University Adds Green Roof to Aztec Student Union Exit (January 11, 2014) – A new San Diego State University student center is being outfitted with plant species that are well-suited to San Diego’s climate, as well as three large 50,000 gallon tanks that will capture and reuse stormwater runoff.
- Starting a “Treevolution”: Attendees, Officials Discuss Making Louisville More Sustainable Exit (January 18, 2014) – Attendees at the Sustainability Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, are ready to start a “Treevolution,” and plan to move forward with sustainability initiatives such as green infrastructure and urban heat island reduction.
- Green Roof Project of the Week Exit (January 21, 2014) – Indiana’s flagship Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio station installed one of Indianapolis’s largest green roofs. The green roof at WFYI is 6,000 square feet.
- i-Tree 2014 Mobile Software Now Available Exit (January 22, 2014) –The U.S. Forest Service is making it easier than ever for homeowners and urban planners to discover the economic and ecological value of their trees with release of the updated free mobile software tool, iTree 2014.
- New Heat Island Group Research Compares Economics of White, Green, and Black Flat Roofs in the United States (January 21, 2014) – Looking strictly at the economic costs and benefits of three different roof types—black, white and green—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers have found in a new study that white roofs are the most cost-effective over a 50-year time span.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Announces 46 Urban Forestry Grants Awarded (January 30, 2014) – The Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant Program has awarded $602,486 to 46 Wisconsin communities, nonprofit organizations, and counties for community urban forestry projects.
- 2013
December 2013
- Meet Modular Green Roofing Exit (December 4, 2013) – Several companies are developing green roof modules designed for rapid installation on both remodeled and new buildings.
- New Report Shows How Green Infrastructure Investments Can Create Value for Commercial Property Owners and Tenants Exit (December 17, 2013) – The Natural Resources Defense Council released a study finding that incorporating green infrastructure (e.g., green roofs, porous sidewalks, and rain gardens) on private property can provide a wide range of benefits to commercial property owners and their tenants.
- Los Angeles Becomes First Major U.S. City to Adopt Cool Roof Rule Exit (December 19, 2013) – The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to require cool roofs for all new and refurbished homes, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so. Los Angeles will expand its incentives for cool roofs to ensure that the mandate will not increase costs to homeowners.
- Saratoga Springs Planting Trees as Part of Urban Forestry Project Exit (December 22, 2013) – The goal of this tree planting program is not only to beautify the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, but to reap the many benefits of urban trees, including the reduction of the urban heat island effect.
- New York – Property Tax: City Green Roof Tax Abatement Provisions Amended, Extended Exit (December 23, 2013) – New York City has amended its property tax abatement incentive for green roofs. The amendment expands the definition of a green roof, slightly increases the value of the tax abatement, and extends the application deadline by five years, to March 15, 2018.
November 2013
- The Javits Center's New Green Roof is Second Largest in the Country Exit (November 9, 2013) – The five-block-long Javits Convention Center in New York City is undergoing a renovation, including installation of a green roof. The green roof will be the largest in the entire city and the second largest in the country.
- North America's Largest Green Roof: Thriving on its 10th Anniversyar Exit (November 14, 2013) – It's been ten years since the start of construction of the green roof on the Ford Motor Company's River Rouge facility. The project is still the largest living roof in North America.
- Inside Washington, D.C.’s Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (November 21, 2013) – The temperature variations between the District of Columbia and rural suburbs are often easily recognizable.
- How To Monitor Urban Weather...With Your Smartphone Exit (November 25, 2013) – Researchers are tracking outdoor air temperatures in urban areas by measuring the battery temperatures of smartphones.
October 2013
- Louisville Officials Secure Grant to Study Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (October 9, 2013) – The City of Louisville, Kentucky secured $135,000 for a grant to create a plan to address the city’s urban heat island effect.
- Push Urged for More Cool Roofs in Baltimore Exit (October 15, 2013) – Baltimore, Maryland has made cooling homes and businesses with reflective roofs part of its climate action plan. Additionally, the city received state funding to offer cool roof grants to low-income homeowners as part of a weatherization program.
- Turfgrass Tested in Shallow Green Roof Substrates Exit (October 23, 2013) – A new study from researchers in Greece offers recommendations for the use of turfgrass in green roof environments.
- Portland State Will Build Green Roof Research Site on Walmart's New North Portland Store Exit (October 23, 2013) – Portland State University (PSU) and Walmart will partner to research different aspects of green roof design, such as materials and soil depth. PSU will collect data from 40,000 square feet of vegetative roof that will be installed on Walmart’s new store.
- Waterloo Public Works, McKay Plan Urban Forestry Initiative Exit (October 30, 2013) – The Waterloo Public Works Department and McKay Nursery in Wisconsin have teamed up to inventory every public tree in the city and find out what condition the tree is in and how old it is.
January 2013
- Green Roofs Help Brighten Up Hospital Stays Exit (January 8, 2013) - Hospitals are providing a permanent green space for the comfort and emotional well-being of patients, while also reducing the hospitals’ carbon footprints.
- Green Roof Provides Chance for Research Exit (January 10, 2013) - Horticulture scientists at Mississippi State University are studying and recording the effects of the coastal climate on rooftop gardens in Gulfport.
- World’s Greenest Building, Bullitt Center, Opens on Earth Day in Seattle Exit (January 16, 2013) - The Bullitt Center, a six-story, 50,000 square-foot building was constructed to exceed the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification and meet the strenuous Living Building Challenge standards. The builders claim it will be the “greenest” office building on the planet.
- Rivers Can Help Reduce the “Urban Heat Island Effect” Exit (January 18, 2013) - A recent UK study of urban heat island mitigation strategies has demonstrated that even a small urban river can result in a cooling effect of 1°C during temperatures higher than 20°C. Furthermore, the cooling effects can be improved by careful urban design of the surrounding areas.
- Heat From Urban Centers Can Have Far-Ranging Effect: NCAR Study Exit (January 27, 2013) - A recent study in which the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) was a participant found that heat generated through everyday activities in one urban setting can affect the jet stream and other atmospheric systems.
- 2012
December 2012
- Tree Plan for Saratoga Springs Taking Root Exit (December 5, 2012) - Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project presented its initial findings to the city council as part of an effort to develop a citywide urban forest master plan.
- City of Cincinnati Now Offers Green Roof Loans Exit (December 5, 2012) - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Office of Environmental Quality have made $5 million available for loans to install green roofs.
- Museum's New Roof Designed to Help Community “Think Green” Exit (December 8, 2012) - Mississippi State University students and faculty installed a green roof on a new pavilion at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum to raise awareness of green solutions.
- Department of Natural Resources Announces Forestry Grant Recipients Exit (December 9, 2012) - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded grants totaling $92,039 to 18 recipients to implement urban forestry projects.
- Aultman Hospital Greens up with a Green Roof Exit (December 18, 2012) - Aultman Hospital has installed a green roof to promote sustainability and improve care for patients by providing views of natural landscapes.
- Princeton Team Reflects on ‘Cool Roof’ Hypothesis Exit (December 18, 2012) - Early data show that the thickness of a cool roof may have as much of an influence on energy savings and thermal performance as surface reflectivity.
- Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, Jr. of Hoboken Co-sponsors Bill to Mandate Green Roofs on State Buildings Exit (December 19, 2012) - New Jersey is considering a bill that would require installation of green or blue roofs on state buildings that are at least 15,000 square feet to reduce storm water runoff.
- State to Help Tukwila Restore Urban Forests Exit (December 24, 2012) - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is helping to restore the urban forests at Cottage Creek and Duwamish River in Tukwila.
November 2012
- Green Walls: Saving Urban Areas Exit (November 1, 2012) - Green walls, or vertical gardens, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also help reduce the urban heat island effect, provide natural insulation to the buildings, and reduce stormwater runoff.
- Pavements Designed to Fight Climate Change Could Increase Energy Consumption in Surrounding Buildings Exit (November 6, 2012) - Windows facing the reflective pavements could receive more sunlight, thereby increasing temperatures and energy consumption in the buildings.
- City Receives Georgia Urban Forestry Council’s Top Honor Exit (November 7, 2012) - The City of Savannah won the Outstanding Community Grand Award for its project to revitalize the Chippewa Square last year, which included planting of new trees, shrubs, and groundcover.
- Allegheny County Redevelopment Funds Soldiers & Sailors “Green Roof,” other Projects Exit (November 10, 2012) - Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburg, PA will receive $250,000 from a state tax on casinos to help pay for a "green roof" on its landmark building. The roof will reduce stormwater runoff and provide additional insulation to lower the building’s energy costs.
- Onset Announces Green Roof Monitoring System Exit (November 14, 2012) - Onset, a supplier of data loggers and weather stations, announced its new HOBO Green Roof Monitoring system to measure the performance of green roofs.
- Boston to Get Very First Roof-Top Farm, Will Be Second Largest in the World Exit (November 14, 2012) - Higher Ground Farm, a Boston-based outdoor urban agriculture company, will build a 55,000 square-foot farm on the roof of Boston Design Center in Spring 2013.
October 2012
- Members of UD, Delaware Community Celebrate Green Roof Completion Exit (October 2, 2012) - U.S. Senator Tom Carper and members of the Delaware community joined University of Delaware (UD) students and faculty to celebrate the completion of the university’s first green roof on a classroom building. The project received funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program, the DuPont Clear into the Future program, and two UD programs.
- Cleaning the Urban Environment with "Sustainable Backyards"Exit (October 2, 2012) - Chicago’s Sustainable Backyards program provides rebates that reimburse citizens for up to 50 percent of the cost of installing trees, native plants, compost bins, and/or rain barrels. The program helps residents join the city in cooling heat islands, reducing stormwater pollution, cleaning the air, and improving public health.
- Living Roofs Boost Solar Panel Performance Exit (October 3, 2012) - In addition to heat island reduction, there are added benefits to green roofs. If solar panels are combined with green roofs, evaporative cooling induced by plants can lead to lower ambient air temperatures, which increases the output of solar cells.
- C40 Partners with Global Cool Cities Alliance to Tackle ‘Heat Island Effect’ in Cities Exit (October 4, 2012) - C40 has partnered with the Global Cool Cities Alliance to advance policies and actions in cities that increase the solar reflectance of building roofs and pavements.
- Louisville Starts Efforts to Adapt to Harsher Climes Exit (October 14, 2012) - Louisville, Kentucky’s city officials and business leaders are taking their first steps to prepare for harsher climate conditions. For example, while announcing his tree initiative, Mayor Greg Fischer cited the need to shrink Louisville’s urban heat island.
- D.C. Tree Planting Underway Exit (October 19, 2012) - The District of Columbia Department of Transportation's Urban Forestry Administration is planting 6,400 trees across D.C. as part of a $1.8 million dollar program. Benefits include stormwater reduction, improved air quality, and lower temperatures.
September 2012
- As Temps Rise, Cities Combat 'Heat Island' Effect Exit (September 4, 2012) - Atlanta is combating the heat island effect by increasing green space through programs that include urban gardens, farms, and tree planting and preservation.
- World's Largest Green Roof Tops a Parking Garage Exit (September 10, 2012) - The 24.5 acre green roof on Millennial Park’s garage in downtown Chicago helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce storm water runoff, lower energy consumption, provide acoustic protection, and create habitat for birds and insects.
- Rooftop Farms Next Logical Step in “Green” Building Exit (September 11, 2012) - Rooftop farms help with food production while providing the benefits of traditional green roofs, which include lower building temperatures, energy costs, and stormwater runoff.
- Minimizing the Urban Heat Island Effect Could Reduce Rainfall Exit (September 12, 2012) - Researchers from Arizona State University found that increasing reflectivity by painting roofs white may modify hydroclimatic processes and reduce rainfall in Arizona's Sun Corridor, which is centered upon the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
- Berkeley Lab Researchers Showcase Cool Pavement Technologies (September 13, 2012) - Researchers from the Berkeley Lab Heat Island Group applied six coatings of different colors to a parking lot to evaluate performance.
- PS 41 Unveils Green Roof Exit (September 21, 2012) - PS 41, a public school in New York City, completed a green roof that also serves as an outdoor science lab for students.
- Online Tools Makes The Cost-Effective Case For Green Roofs Exit (September 27, 2012) - Portland State University developed an online Green Roof Energy Calculator to compare the annual energy performance of a building with a vegetative green roof to the same building with either a dark roof or a white roof.
August 2012
- Portland Tree Canopy Spreading, Study Finds Exit (August 9, 2012) - An aerial imagery study released by the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation shows that the city's tree canopy has grown over the past 10 years, and now covers nearly 30 percent of the city.
- Green City: Baton Rouge May be Most Tree-covered City in United States Exit (August 13, 2012) - A study of the more than 1 million trees within Baton Rouge's city limits finds that the canopy covers 44 percent of the city, possibly a larger percentage than what can be found in any other North American city.
- GreenScaped Buildings Installs Living Wall at Fashion Valley Exit (August 14, 2012) - Living walls or green walls are structures that allow plant materials to grow on a building, but have the added benefit of allowing them to grow on vertical spaces indoors or outdoors.
- Urban Heat Island Effect And Climate Change May Cause Scorching City Temperatures Exit (August 15, 2012) - A recent paper finds that urbanization alone could drive local temperatures up by 7°F by 2050 in some parts of the U.S. – some two or three times higher than the effects of global warming.
- Green Roof Movement Goes Domestic Exit(August 16, 2012 - Although green roofs are less common on private homes, this may be changing slowly, especially as more municipalities enact regulations to control stormwater on site rather than allowing it to drain into local sewer systems.
- How Cities are Using Nature to Cut Pollutio Exit (August 23, 2012) - A growing number of places, from New York City to Sweden, are investing in everything from rooftop gardens to pollution-filtering assemblages of trees to reduce storm water runoff.
July 2012
- To Find Fields to Farm in New York City, Just Look Up Exit (July 11, 2012) - Rooftop commercial agriculture is on the rise in New York City. In addition to providing fresh produce to the city, rooftop farms capture storm water and divert it from the sewer system, as well as lowering greenhouse gas emissions through reducing the distance food travels.
- A New PSU Outdoor Learning Area Features Green Walls and Roofs and Serves as a Park Exit (July 11, 2012) - Portland State University unveiled a new outdoor student laboratory that doubles as a community park and features three experiments: green walls, green roofs, and irrigation-free landscaping.
- Heat Islands Surrounded on All Sides by Perspiration Exit (July 13, 2012) - The urban heat island effect makes downtown Stockton at least 1 to 2 degrees warmer than the rest of San Joaquin County, and may grow more severe as the city expands outward.
- Green Streets Can Cut Pollution, Says Study Exit (July 18, 2012) - A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology finds that creating “green walls” in urban areas could cut pollution by up to 30%.
- Around The World, Cities Plan for Extreme Weather Exit (July 18, 2012) - Cities in the U.S. are putting plans in place to prepare for the increase in extreme weather events, including heat waves and droughts.
- Heat in the Heartland: 60 Years of Warming in the Midwest Exit (July 25, 2012) - A study by the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that heat waves have increased in severity and frequency in Chicago over the past six decades.
- Study: Many U.S. cities unprepared for future heat waves Exit (July 26, 2012) - A study examined the climate action plans of 50 major cities and found that only a quarter of them addressed the growing urban heat island effect.
June 2012
- 'Cool' Paving Materials Helps Lower City Temperatures, Study Finds Exit (June 4, 2012) - A study finds using cool materials to construct roads and walkways is an effective way of lowering urban temperatures.
- New Kind of Blue Pigment Has 40 Percent Heat Reflectivity Exit (June 5, 2012) - The patent for a reflective blue pigment has been approved and it is now being considered for commercial applications such as cool roofing.
- Put a Green Roof On It Exit (June 15, 2012) - American Rivers released an interactive tool to demonstrate the energy and water savings of green roofs.
- New Study: Smart Roofs Could Transform California Energy and Water Use Exit (June 15, 2012) - A new study finds that installing green roofs and cool roofs in southern California could save consumers more than $211 million in energy bills and reduce emissions equivalent to removing 91,000 cars from the road each year.
- Postal Service Plants Second Green Roof Exit (June 28, 2012) - The U.S. Postal Service announced a 11,300 square foot green roof atop the Colvin-Elmwood Post Office in Syracuse, NY.
May 2012
- Missouri Department of Conservation Debuts New Green Roof Exit (May 2, 2012) – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s new green roof is home to 3300 Missouri native plants, which were chosen because they require less water and maintenance.
- Urban Group Wants to Help Cool Down Louisville's Heat Island Exit (May 6, 2012) – A study shows that Louisville’s rate of warming is higher than other large cities in the United States. Louisville officials are taking action to cool the city in the form of subsidies for green roofs and a green infrastructure program for the Metropolitan Sewer District.
- Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above Exit (May 23, 2012) – Green Roofs cool buildings, reduce energy costs, clean the air, reduce storm water runoff, and help biodiversity. New York City is promoting green roofs, but 30 to 50 percent coverage is needed to make a difference in the city’s climate or hydrology.
- Heat-Related U.S. Deaths Projected to Rise 150,000 by Century's End Due to Climate Change Exit (May 23, 2012) – A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council finds that climate change could cause 150,000 additional heat-related deaths in the United States by the end of this century.
- Instead of Lamenting the Urban Heat Island Effect, Why Don’t We Harness It? Exit (May 24, 2012) – Researchers have been developing a model that would harness the heat contained in asphalt and put it to productive use, such as heating water coursing through a series of pipes embedded in the road. The hot water could be used to generate electricity.
- Take Siestas to Cope with Heat in UK says Lancet Exit (May 30, 2012) – A new report on Healthy Cities worldwide suggests that workers should be allowed to take siestas during office hours and wears shorts to work, while office roofs should be painted white to combat the urban heat island effect.
April 2012
- Brooklyn Grange in Enormous Urban Garden Exit (April 2, 2012) - A roof in Brooklyn is being transformed into a vast urban garden. The green roof will reduce rooftop temperatures, reduce rainwater runoff, and utilize solar panels while producing fruits and vegetables.
- Green rooftops Help Clean Up Beijing's Air Exit (April 2, 2012) - The Beijing municipal government has made plans to improve the quality of the city's air by covering 100,000 square meters of roofs with greenery by the end of this year.
- Escape the Urban Heat Island-Nominated for a $10,000 Grant from Odwalla’s Plant a Tree Program Exit (April 3, 2012) - Odwalla is donating $10,000 to worthy organizations through its 2012 Plant a Tree program, and Environment Action Association’s Escape the Urban Heat Island is in the running for one of the grants.
- Urban Heat Amplifies Death Risk for Elderly Exit (April 13, 2012) A study finds that older people living in urban areas that do not cool down sufficiently at night are twice as likely to die during heat waves than those living in the suburbs.
- New Ordinances Mean You Can’t Pave over the Yard for More Parking Exit (April 13, 2012) - Two new zoning ordinances in Somerville, Massachusetts encourage green roofs and limit impervious surfaces. The new policies strive to reduce the heat island effect by reducing paving.
- Painting Roofs White is as Green as Taking Cars Off the Roads for 50 Years, Says Study Exit (April 13, 2012) Scientists estimate that using light-colored surfaces on roofs and pavements in cities town could, on a global scale, increase their albedo by about 10 percent. This would offset between 130 billion and 150 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking every car in the world off the road for 50 years.
- Md. Scientists Study Why Spring Came Early Exit (April 17, 2012) - Researchers at the University of Maryland Center found that the urban landscape traps heat in the summer and holds it throughout the winter, triggering leaves to turn green earlier in the spring and to stay green later into the fall.
- On an Urban Heat Island, Zippy Red Oaks Exit (April 25, 2012) – Researchers found that red oak seedlings in Central Park grow up to eight times faster than their cousins cultivated outside the city, probably because of the urban heat island effect.
March 2012
- Bright Is The New Black: New York Roofs Go Cool (March 7, 2012) A new study of how different white roofing materials performed "in the field" in New York City over multiple years found that even the least expensive white roof coating reduced peak rooftop temperatures in summer by an average of 43°F.
- The Humble Parking Lot Gets a Green Makeover Exit (March 15, 2012) A new parking lot in Beamsville, Ontario in Canada has a rain garden that will improve stormwater management and help reduce the heat island effect created by large expanses of asphalt.
- ESF’s New Building Highlighted at Conference Exit (March 16, 2012) The College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the State University of New York, Syracuse, is constructing a new building with multiple sustainable features, including an on-campus combined heat and power system and a 10,000 square foot green roof based on rare native plant community.
- Rooftop Blooms Help Pollinators Exit (March 21, 2012) A study analyzing green roofs in the UK and Switzerland found that mixed planting attracts more wildlife than a standard green roof planted with sedum.
- Cities on Front Line of Climate Change Exit (March 27, 2012) The world's cities bear the brunt of climate change, but some are taking action to both increase resilience to climate impacts and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, such as painting roofs white and planting trees to alleviate the urban heat island effect and lower energy consumption.
- Soon More Heat Stress in Cities? Exit (March 28, 2012) - A global study of the effects persistent heatwaves can have on cities shows that the frequency of summer heat stress could increase more sharply in cities than in the surrounding rural areas.
- QR Code Allows Smartphone Users to Adopt a Tree in D.C. Exit (March 28, 2012) - The District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration is piloting a project that allows residents of Washington DC to use their smartphones to scan QR codes in order to adopt a tree. Anyone who is willing to water the trees on a weekly basis from spring through the fall season will be provided with a free 10 gallon watering tub for every adopted tree.
February 2012
- Oil Sands Produces Its Own Heat Island Effect Exit (February 8, 2012) A study by researchers at University of Alberta finds that Canada's oil sands project has created an urban heat island effect, drying out a city-sized area and raising the local temperature by more than a degree.
- Phoenix Is an IslandExit (February 9, 2012) Concrete, asphalt, rooftops, and three-hundred-some-odd days of sunlight a year means lots of excess heat for Phoenix city dwellers both day and night.
- U.S. Cities Are Losing 4 Million Trees a Year Exit (February 9, 2012) A study published in the latest issue of the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening finds that tree cover had declined in 17 of the 20 analyzed cities.
- PPG to Highlight Cool Roof Coatings at 2012 International Roofing Expo Exit (February 9, 2012) PPG Industries new coatings for metal roofs and building panels deflect solar energy away from buildings, which enables buildings to stay cooler and consume less energy.
- Newly Released American National Standard to Improve Energy Efficiency and Lead the way to a More Sustainable Energy Future Exit (February 10, 2012) The newly revised Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings includes provisions to help mitigate heat island effect.
- EPA and Hackensack University Medical Center Team Up to Increase Green Practices (February 23, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Hackensack University Medical Center have entered into an agreement to enhance environmental practices at the hospital, including completing a 7,000 square-foot green roof that will reduce stormwater runoff.
- DeepRoot: A New Solution For Saving Cities Money By Planting TreesExit (February 27, 2012) A firm called DeepRoot has designed an underground structure to allow urban tree roots to grow deeper into the ground, resulting in larger, fuller, and healthier trees.
- Spokane’s Tree Canopy Stable Exit (February 29, 2012) The strong urban forestry program in Spokane, Washington is keeping up the tree canopy of the city.
January 2012
- FarmRoof Goes Up On Kakaako Car Dealership Exit (January 5, 2012) – An organic rooftop farming system is installed on the roof of a car dealership in Kakaako, Hawaii, and is expected to reduce energy costs of the building by 20 percent.
- White's All Right for a Cool Change to City's Buildings Exit (January 25, 2012) – A joint study by the City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne found that white roofs can make buildings up to 4 degrees Celsius cooler inside. The push for white roofs is part of the city’s 1200 Buildings program, a central piece in its plan to achieve carbon neutral status by 2020.
- Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Announces Grants for Urban Forestry Projects (January 25, 2012) – The Connecticut DEEP announced that 17 municipalities and non-profit organizations will receive $81,425 in America the Beautiful grants for urban forestry projects in their communities.
- Green Roof Product Cools Solar Panels Exit (January 26, 2012) – The company Green Roof Technology has launched a system for integrating solar power into a green roof. The plants cool the roof and enable the solar panels to achieve greater efficiency.
- Depave: Returning Parking Lots To Paradise Exit (January 27, 2012) – Depave, a non-profit organization in Oregon, has been working to turn superfluous parking lots and other underused expanses of asphalt into productive green space.
- 2011
December 2011
- Santa Monica City Council Adopts Urban Forest Master Plan Exit (December 28, 2011) The Santa Monica City Council has approved a plan that establishes guidelines for enhancing the city's urban forest.
- Rochester Awarded $14,750 Grant for Tree Inventory Program Exit (December 27, 2011) Rochester is one of 12 communities across the state to receive a grant for urban forestry from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The grant will be used to complete a community street tree inventory program.
- Green Roof Will Be Soothing to New Moms Exit (December 19, 2011) A green roof will be built on top of the new Anderson Medical Center cardiology building at the Boulder Community Hospital Foothills campus in East Boulder, Colorado. The roof will cost more to build than a typical roof, but is projected to save $750,000 per year in cooling costs.
- The Problem With Palm Trees Exit (December 19, 2011) A number of cities are recognizing that while palms are aesthetically pleasing, they do not provide the same environmental benefits, walkable streets, or lower ambient temperatures as hardwood shade trees.
- Soka Performing Arts Center and Academic Building Achieve LEED Gold Certification Exit (December 15, 2011) The two structures of Soka University, Orange County, CA incorporate many sustainable and energy efficiency solutions, including a green roof and solar panels.
- The Green Revolution: Urban Gardens Transform Traditional Cityscapes Exit (December 9, 2011) Urban gardens are no longer simply a sign of wealth; they have become a tool in both the fight against global warming and food shortage.
November 2011
- New Green Roof Tops Off Sustainability Effort at St. Joe's Exit (November 28, 2011) – Saint Joseph’s University’s green roof not only increases energy efficiency and reduces stormwater runoff, but also serves research purposes – sections of the roof were installed with different materials and plants to study and compare the performance of roof components over time.
- White Roofs Cool Cities More than Trees Exit (November 21, 2011) – A new study by Yale University researchers show that reflective roofing has greater cooling effect than tree cover and other vegetated areas.
- Low Impact, Green Solutions Fix Older City Water Infrastructures Exit (November 18, 2011) – Philadelphia is using low impact development and green infrastructure to solve the problem of combined sewer overflows.
- Cities Stepping Up to Help Reduce 10 Trillion Gallons Worth of Polluted Water Dumped Into U.S. Waterways Each Year Exit (November 16, 2011) – A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council provides detailed case studies on how 14 cities are employing green infrastructure, such as green roofs and permeable pavement, to tackle stormwater challenges.
- DCR Awards $80,470 in Urban Forestry Challenge Grant Exit (November 10, 2011) – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded grants to five municipalities and nonprofit groups to support tree and forestry projects at the local level.
- Twin Cities to Put Urban Heat Island to the Test Exit (November 7, 2011) – A University of Minnesota project is placing 200 temperature sensors around the Twin Cities to study urban heat.
October 2011
- Community Voices: The Urban Forest's Stormwater Factor Exit (October 21, 2011) – Urban trees not only reduce heat island effects, but also improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health by mitigating the harm caused by urban runoff.
- Queens Gets a Bit Cooler with Another Green Roof – Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant is Latest Location be Outfitted Exit (October 20, 2011) – The Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant’s green roof can soak up to 13,000 gallons of stormwater annually and will reduce the amount of combined sewer overflow that discharges into Jamaica Bay during heavy rain.
- FedEx Express Hosts Largest “Green Roof” at Any U.S. Airport Exit (October 20, 2011) – FedEx builds a green roof the size of three football fields on its new package sorting center in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
- Urban 'Heat Island' Effect Is a Small Part of Global Warming; White Roofs Don't Reduce It Exit (October 20, 2011) – A study by Stanford researchers find that urban heat islands are modest contributors to global warming when compared with greenhouse gases.
- The Complex Relationships Between Vegetation, Water Use, and Socioeconomics in Phoenix, AZ Exit(October 15, 2011) – Research finds that lower-income neighborhoods in Phoenix have less vegetation, which reduces heat island effects but requires higher water use, and are more susceptible to extreme heat.
- Green Roof Movement Grows Slowly in Austin Exit (October 7, 2011) – More financial incentives for designers, builders, and homeowners are needed to make green roofs more popular in Austin.
- As World Goes Urban, New Focus on Role of Trees in Cities Exit (October 3, 2011) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) urged countries to protect their urban and peri-urban forests for their multiple benefits. The FAO is developing guidelines to promote sound policies on trees in major metropolitan areas, due to be published in 2012.
September 2011
- Predicting Urban Heat Island Effects from Space Exit (September 29, 2011) – A new study by the European Space Agency suggests that satellite sensors can be used to detect urban heat island effects before they actually form.
- Cool Roof Legislation Adds Jobs, Saves Energy Exit (September 26, 2011) – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland and Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho are co-sponsoring the Energy-Efficient Cool Roof Jobs Act, which could mean thousands of new jobs and energy savings nationwide.
- Can Your Green Roof Survive a Hurricane (September 26, 2011) – The experience of New York City electric utility Con Edison suggests that a well planned green roof is no more vulnerable to high winds and heavy rains than any other.
- Central Park Dentistry in Mason City, Iowa Gets Green Roof Exit (September 20, 2011) – The green roof system offers 30 percent better cooling efficiency than a traditional roof and 10 percent more insulation, and will make the roof last three to four times longer.
August 2011
- Green Roof Finished at Mazzoli Federal Building, Kentucky Exit (August 26, 2011) – The largest green roof in the state of Kentucky, totaling almost 27,000 square feet, was completed as part of a project to improve sustainability of the building.
- Volunteers Paint the Town White Exit (August 22, 2011) – Volunteers in New York City painted 35,000 square feet of affordable low-income rooftops with reflective white paint, which will help to cool the buildings and generate significant energy savings.
- Using Mist to Cool Down Urban Heat Island Exit (August 17, 2011) – Osaka City Waterworks Bureau is experimenting a new cooling method – using mist shot out from nozzles installed on top of buildings along the street.
July 2011
- Cool Roofs and Solar Panels - a Natural Marriage of Sustainable Technologies Exit (July 25, 2011) – One company reports that the output of its solar power system when combined with a cool roof increases 20 percent due to the improved collection of reflected and diffuse light.
- Green Roof, IT Help Cut Postal Service Energy Costs by $400m Exit (July 21, 2011) – After installing one of the largest green roofs in the country, the U.S. Postal Service has reduced its energy costs by more than $400 million since 2007.
- Berkeley Lab’s Iconic Dome Gets a New Roof—a Cool One (July 12, 2011) – A cool roof is being installed on the Advanced Light Source building, which is part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
- White Roof Project: Cools NYC One Roof at a Time Exit (July 5, 2011) – The White Roof Project initiative in New York City is helping to address the urban heat island effect by painting roofs white.
June 2011
- EPA Tips to Be Cool and Safe this Summer / Limit the heat and the sun, but not the fun (June 30, 2011) - Heat islands can intensify heat waves, which can pose risks to people’s health. You can follow several tips to avoid heat exhaustion and overexposure to the sun.
- Plan for small streets, big changes Exit (June 20, 2011) – Several Minnesota cities are experimenting with new street design techniques, including planting trees and narrowing paved areas.
- A tiny step forward for green roofs in Philadelphia Exit (June 15, 2011) – The City of Philadelphia’s newest green roof has been built on top of a bus stop shelter to help address stormwater issues.
- Cities try to adapt to heat waves Exit (June 13, 2011) – Canadian governments are looking for ways to beat the heat as they become increasingly aware of the dangers climate change poses not just to the environment but to public health as well.
- Paved Surfaces Can Foster Build-Up of Polluted Air Exit (June 7, 2011) – New research focusing on the Houston area suggests that widespread urban development alters wind patterns in a way that can make it easier for pollutants to build up during warm summer weather instead of being blown out to sea.
- ‘Canopy keepers’ try to make a greener D.C. Exit (June 5, 2011) – Thirty-five percent of Washington, D.C., has tree cover, and the city hopes to increase that to 40 percent by 2035. The street trees in Washington make up about 10 percent of the whole urban tree canopy.
- Downtown Phoenix parking lot paved in reflective coating Exit (June 5, 2011) – This new city-owned parking lot features a reflective coating that can help reduce temperatures on concrete and asphalt surfaces.
- Congresswoman Matsui Introduces Energy Conservation Through Trees Act (June 3, 2011) – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2095, the Energy Conservation Through Trees Act, legislation that would support programs run by electric utilities that use targeted planting of shade trees in order to reduce residential energy demand.
May 2011
- A City Prepares for a Warm Long-Term Forecast Exit (May 22, 2011) – Chicago is getting ready for a wetter, warmer future by implementing adaptation measures such as repaving public alleyways with materials that are permeable to water.
- Green roof is crowning glory: study Exit (May 18, 2011) – A study conducted by the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre found that a green roof provided reduced costs for air conditioning and heating for a residential building.
- ASHRAE insert addendums to Green Building Standard Exit (May 15, 2011) – Requirements to reduce heat and subsequent energy use on building sites are part of five new addendums being proposed for the green building standard developed by ASHRAE, IES and USGBC.
- Chicago Trees Initiative Aims to Plant and Protect Exit (May 9, 2011) – The Chicago Trees Initiative hopes to achieve an average tree cover of 20% by the year 2020 for Chicago.
- Green Roofs Have Positive Effect on Sewer Systems Exit (May 9, 2011) – A Columbia University and Con Edison study found that green roofs can be a cost-effective way to keep water from running into sewer systems and causing overflows.
April 2011
- Spruce up, shade your house on the cheap Exit (April 17, 2011) – Trees for Tucson delivers around 5,000 trees a year to help the community address the urban heat island effect.
- DOE’s Oak Ridge and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs Join with Dow Chemical to Develop Next-Generation Cool Roofs (April 14, 2011) – This agreement will support research to increase the energy savings from existing cool roof technologies by more than 50 percent, decreasing the nation’s carbon footprint and providing an opportunity for Americans to save money by saving energy.
- U.S. Forest Service Funds Tree Inventory For Urban Planners (April 13, 2011) – New research funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help city planners make better decisions about their urban trees for a range of benefits, including energy savings and improved access to nature.
- New London hotel boasts huge living wall Exit (April 8, 2011) – The combination of a green roof and living wall on a London Hotel has benefits like improved thermal qualities, water run-off prevention and enhancing air quality.
- Green Roof Industry Grows 28.5 Percent in 2010 Exit (April 1, 2011) – A recent survey conducted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities showed a growth of the green roof industry by 28.5 percent in 2010.
March 2011
- Science looks to poplar trees for ‘cool roof’ technology Exit (March 21, 2011) – New research looks at the way poplar trees protect themselves from harsh sunlight in order to explore new ways to help control the heat that is produced when sunlight beats down on a roof.
- SIMPLY TREES: Trees for energy conservation Exit (March 19, 2011) – One of the more measurable benefits trees provide is energy conservation. On a community-wide scale, shade trees can help reduce the “heat-island” effect.
- Trees help make city a cooler place to live Exit (March 11, 2011) – Trees can reduce air pollution, control erosion, offset the buildup of urban heat and can reduce utility costs.
- ACT Applauds Recommendations for Urban Green Space in President's “Outdoors” Report Exit (March 7, 2011) – The America’s Great Outdoors initiative recently released a report which includes key recommendations for urban greening.
- Davis branches out with forestry stewardship Exit (March 7, 2011) – Tree Davis is launching a new Urban Forestry Stewardship Program in which volunteers will play a key role in keeping Davis green, clean and cool.
- Ecoroofs: industry grows, costs come down Exit (March 3, 2011) – Portland’s ecoroof industry is expanding, and the cost of building ecoroofs is getting lower.
February 2011
- A Look (Again) at Airport Greenroofs Exit (February 25, 2011) – Airports, which contribute to urban heat islands with impermeable hot surfaces, have installed green roofs to help address these issues.
- Living Architecture Academy goes online from Canada Exit (February 16, 2011) – Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has launched Living Architecture Academy, an online portal to green roof and wall educational content from conferences and events.
- Color Search Site Can Help Pick Cool Roofs Exit (February 15, 2011) – An online tool has been launched to help building owners select the roof coating color that best enhances energy efficiency.
- New Green Roof Tracks Weather at UCF Exit (February 7, 2011) – A weather station was built as part of a green roof study on the cooling efficiency of green roof plants.
- ‘Green’ Cities Are Organizing to Protect the Environment Exit (February 1, 2011) – Local governments around the world are working to protect the environment through reducing energy use and pollution in inventive and effective ways.
January 2011
- 80 volunteers plant trees, hope for shade at BREC park Exit (January 31, 2011) – A tree planting effort involving Baton Rouge Green hopes to provide shade trees for a Baton Rouge park.
- Salt Lake City police HQ goes green Exit (January 20, 2011) – Green roofs on the new police headquarters will both mitigate storm drainage and provide better aesthetics, planners say.
- ‘Green asphalt’ layers cool surface on school lot Exit (January 18, 2011) – A Phoenix school became the testing ground for “green asphalt,” a concrete-based reflective covering designed to make asphalt surfaces cooler and more durable.
- 5 standout species for extensive green roofs Exit (January 18, 2011) – A new study from researchers at Colorado State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture published in HortScience evaluated a variety of plant species to determine the plants’ ability to thrive on extensive green roofs in Colorado.
- For Chicago, cooling down may mean lightening up Exit (January 13, 2011) – Chicago is signing on as a member of the 100 Cool Cities Initiative, which seeks to offset global carbon emissions by encouraging installation of cool and reflective roofs and pavements in 100 major cities worldwide.
- DOE Starts at the Top in Bid to Cut Emissions, Set Good Example on Efficiency Exit (January 10, 2011) – The new cool roof on the Department of Energy building uses the white coloring of the 60-millimeter-thick PVC material to reflect the sun’s heat and light, which in turn helps improve building efficiency and therefore reduce cooling costs.
- City will help building owners get green Exit (January 6, 2011) – The City of Houston will offer commercial building owners up to $200,000 in incentives to improve energy efficiency, putting a special emphasis on retrofitting older and smaller buildings.
- 2010
December 2010
- Study that could help you grow a better green roof garden Exit (December 30, 2010) – Researchers from the Department of Horticulture at The Pennsylvania State University have evaluated the influence of substrate type and depth on establishment of five common green roof plants.
- Arizona without saguaros? As climate warms, desert’s future uncertain Exit (December 21, 2010) – Rising temperatures in Phoenix may impact air quality by exacerbating ozone problems and ultraviolet radiation, especially during the summer months.
- Grant will promote ‘green’ bus shelters Exit (December 20, 2010) – A $20,000 grant from the Sprout Fund and Pittsburgh Foundation will help to fund a project to equip a new bus shelter with a green roof.
- DOE Installs ‘Cool Roof’ on DC Headquarters Exit (December 16, 2010) – The Department of Energy has replaced a roof at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a cool roof made from light-colored material that is expected to save taxpayers $2,000 a year energy costs.
- Nighttime Makes Urban Heat Waves Deadly Exit (December 14, 2010) – Recent research finds that exposure to high temperatures at night can increase the risk of vulnerable populations in cities, especially the elderly and those with chronic health problems.
- Energy Department Completes Cool Roof Installation on DC Headquarters Building to Save Money by Saving Energy (December 14, 2010) – A new cool roof installation on the Department of Energy’s Headquarters required no incremental cost to add the cool roof as part of the roof replacement project and it will save taxpayers $2,000 every year in building energy costs.
- Satellites Pinpoint Drivers of Urban Heat Islands in the Northeast (December 13, 2010) – The size, background ecology, and development patterns of many cities in the Northeast combine to make them unusually warm, according to NASA scientists who presented new research recently at an American Geophysical Union meeting.
- Reinvestment Act Project to plant 700 trees and create jobs in Detroit Exit (December 7, 2010) – Thanks to $200,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more than 700 trees will be planted along major roads and freeways in southeastern Michigan.
- Green Teens Start Tree-Planting Initiative in Tulsa Exit (December 5, 2010) – GreenTree Tulsa is helping the Tulsa Housing Authority by planting trees at Housing Authority complexes throughout Tulsa.
November 2010
- Friends of Trees plant energy-saving ideas Exit (November 18, 2010) – Friends of Trees plans to plant 16,000 street trees in the next three years as part of the City of Portland’s five-year gray-to-green initiative.
- Joliet court building gets ‘cool roof’ Exit (November 17, 2010) – The Will County Court Annex Building has an aluminum covering on its roof that deflects the sun’s rays and helps keep the interior cool.
- Honey Bees Find New Home On Baltimore Green Roof Exit (November 14, 2010) – A green roof focused on honey bees is one of the first of its kind in the region, and has helped to foster the bees, which are efficient pollinators.
- Urban sprawl contributes to extreme heat events Exit (November 12, 2010) – Cities with high levels of urban sprawl have more than twice as many days with extreme heat when compared to cities with more compact growth patterns, contributing to heat-related health effects such as sickness and death.
- ASLA Green Roof Earns Top North American Design Honor Exit (November 11, 2010) – The American Society of Landscape Architects’ green roof, located in downtown Washington, has earned recognition as one of the best in North America.
- Planting the future, one tree at a time Exit (November 8, 2010) – Wilmington’s tree canopy grew by 10 percent in 2010, or 1,500 trees, and is expected to rise by that much again in 2011.
October 2010
- Raising the (Green) Roof Exit (October 29, 2010) – The City of Austin’s Green Roof Advisory Group is charged with exploring the feasibility of using city policy to promote green roofs around town.
- Volunteers to plant 50 trees in local Grand Rapids’ parks thanks to Siemens Sustainable Community Award Exit (October 25, 2010) – The City of Grand Rapids was presented the Siemens Sustainable Community Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center and Siemens Corporation.
- Tree Leaves Fight Pollution Exit (October 21, 2010) – Research published in Science shows that deciduous tree leaves, such as those from the maple, aspen, and poplar, suck up far more atmospheric pollutants than previously thought.
- Massachusetts Firm Testing Viability of Using Parking Pavement for Water Heating, Cooling Exit (October 20, 2010) – A new technology uses the heat energy in the pavement in a parking lot to heat hot water or to provide cooling through absorption chillers.
- NYC Mayor Bloomberg Announces Green Roof Initiative Exit (October 1, 2010) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a campaign to install green roofs, sidewalks and porous parking lots in order to capture excess rainwater and runoff.
September 2010
- EPA, DC Showcase Recovery Act Funded Green Roof (September 29, 2010) – A green roof on top of the World Wildlife Fund headquarters was funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- Forest Service Releases National Report on Urban Forests Exit (September 29, 2010) – The USDA Forest Service recently released a new report entitled “Sustaining America's Urban Trees and Forests”, which provides an overview of the current status and benefits of America’s urban forests, compares differences in urban forest canopy cover among regions, and presents challenges facing urban forests and their management.
- New rule: Builders must save more trees Exit (September 28, 2010) – Charlotte’s City Council approved changes to its tree ordinance that will increase the number of trees that must be saved in commercial development and apartment complexes.
- Homeowners use rooftop gardens to raise energy efficiency Exit (September 26, 2010) – Some enthusiasts of eco-friendly living have transformed the roofs of their homes into green oases, creating “vegetative” or “green” roofs.
- City of Seattle wants more eco-friendly ‘green roofs’ Exit (September 23, 2010) – Seattle city leaders released a report that inventoried the City’s 62 vegetated roofs, which cover the equivalent of nine football fields.
- More than just a pretty roof: Ecoroofs save cash Exit (September 20, 2010 – Rooftop plants can save money, especially for businesses with large commercial buildings, because they can double the life of a roof and reduce energy and maintenance costs.
- Sustainability is group’s task Exit (September 10, 2010) – The Burbank Sustainability Task Force is organized into six priority groups - sustainable design, urban heat island effect, transportation, energy, zero waste, strategic communications.
- Capturing heat islands in climate models Exit (September 9, 2010) – A team of scientists has incorporated urban areas into a global climate model; this development is important because most models used for predicting future climate change do not account for the urban “heat island” effect.
- Emerald Cool Pavement Lowers Surface Heat of Asphalt in Phoenix Schools Exit (September 8, 2010) – Under the “Cool Schools Initiative” Emerald Cool Pavement is changing communities by donating labor and materials in the first “Solar Reflective Cool Pavement” offered for school playgrounds, beginning with the City of Scottsdale.
- EPA selects communities for 2010 Greening America’s Capitals projects Exit (September 8, 2010) – The U.S. EPA has selected five state capital cities to receive high-quality green development that includes cleaning up and recycling vacant lands, accessing and improving waterways, providing greater housing and transportation choices, and reducing infrastructure and energy costs.
- Green Building: A Real Estate Revolution? Exit (September 7, 2010) – Green building now accounts for nearly one-third of new construction in the U.S.
- Green roofs redefine cooling plant Exit (September 1, 2010) – Researchers at Columbia University have demonstrated that a layer of plants and earth can cut the rate of heat absorption through the roof of a building in summer by 84%.
August 2010
- It Really Is Cooler in the Shade Exit (August 26, 2010) – A recent temperature measuring activity sponsored by Iowa-based Trees Forever shows how temperatures are reduced by shading.
- Green Roofs and Schools Exit (August 23, 2010) – Green roofs are increasingly being featured on many education institutions, from elementary schools to universities.
- Chicago Gateway Green Launches Chicago Tree Corps Exit (August 19, 2010) – The Chicago Tree Corps will help achieve the goal of planting 15,000 trees in the city by 2015.
- Green building an essential part of Gilbert's future growth Exit (August 17, 2010) – The revision of Gilbert’s General Plan features a focus on green living and sustainability.
- Researchers study impacts of Valley’s extreme heat Exit (August 11, 2010) – The urban poor – already a vulnerable population – are the most susceptible to extreme heat.
- Scholar Hopes to Cool City By Covering Roofs With Greenery Exit (August 11, 2010) – One Hong Kong professor is studying ways to help cut carbon emissions and lower electricity usage by covering the city’s rooftops with plants.
- Tips for Selecting the Right Green Roof Design Exit (August 10, 2010) – When designing a green roof, several issues need to be addressed, including type, weight, maintenance, irrigation, plant choices and cost.
- City pushes free tree program Exit (August 2, 2010) – The City of Austin is promoting a program that plants trees on private property. The addition of trees can potentially cool daytime temperatures in neighborhoods by up to 4 degrees.
July 2010
- Summer Sizzlers Here to Stay Exit (July 29, 2010) – A new study released by the City College of New York is showing just how intense future heat waves are likely to be in New York—and in other big cities by implication.
- Forest Service Releases National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change Exit (July 23, 2010) – The Roadmap integrates land management, outreach, and sustainable operations accounting.
- Cool Roofs, Cool Pavement Reduce Climate Change Effect Exit (July 20, 2010) – A change from black to white may be quickest, least expensive way to start saving money now and reduce CO2 emissions for the future.
- Secretary Chu Announces Steps to Implement Cool Roofs at DOE and Across the Federal Government (July 19, 2010) – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a series of initiatives underway at the Department of Energy to more broadly implement cool roof technologies on DOE facilities and buildings across the federal government.
- New Haven Plans for 10,000 trees in 5 years Exit(July 12, 2010) – The purpose of the Tree Haven 10K campaign is to improve quality of life for residents by beautifying the city, providing shade, improving air quality and generally reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
- Where Does the Water Go?Exit (July 11, 2010) – Cities are investigating new techniques to deal with stormwater runoff, including permeable pavement, which is made from material that allows water to flow through it and into the ground below.
- If a tree falls in Takoma Park, will the solar benefits outweigh the canopy loss? Exit (July 7, 2010) – Some older tree protection ordinances fail to make exceptions for more recent green initiatives like solar panels.
- Heat Wave Puts Spotlight on Lack of Green Space Exit (July 6, 2010) – Professor says more vegetation would help stop urban areas from becoming overheated during warm seasons.
June 2010
- City Council Approves Green Roof Study Exit (June 29, 2010) – The Austin City Council will fund work to further research on vegetated rooftops and how they are affected by Austin’s sporadic rainfall.
- If You Can’t Stand the Heat, New Research Suggests Moving Out of the City Exit (June 29, 2010) – New modeling from researchers in the United Kingdom now suggests that urban areas are more sensitive to changes in climate.
- Study: Sprawling cities experience hotter summer temperatures Exit (June 24, 2010) – The rate of increase in the number of very hot days in sprawling cities is more than double that of compact cities, a study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal has found.
- Urban Areas Getting Hotter Faster Exit (June 22, 2010) – A combination of climate change and urban growth will push temperatures higher in cities worldwide.
- Just in Time for Summer, Retrofit Philly “Coolest Block” Contest Winners Get Energy Efficiency Makeover Exit (June 18, 2010) – Cool roof technology and air sealing products are helping Philadelphia row homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter - and lower utility bills.
- Copenhagen Becomes First Scandinavian City with a Mandatory Green Roof Policy Exit (June 17, 2010) – The new policy requires vegetation and soil to be a mandatory part in architectural planning; in particular, it covers all roofs with a slope less than 30 degrees, plus the refurbishment of older roofs.
- The Green Apple: How Can Cities Adapt to Climate Change? Exit (June 16, 2010) – New York City - and other major metropolises around the globe - face an epic challenge in coping with the impacts of global warming.
- Philadelphia joins U.S. cities requiring cool roofs Exit (June 3, 2010) – Philadelphia’s “Cool Roof” bill was signed into law last month by Mayor Michael Nutter.
May 2010
- City dwellers to face more frequent hot summer nights (May 28, 2010) Exit – Warm summer nights could become warmer in cities due to pressures from urbanization and global warming boosting the “urban heat island” effect, a new study suggests.
- Green Roof Industry Grows 16.1 per cent in 2009 Despite Economic DownturnExit (May 25, 2010) – Despite the severe economic downturn last year, the green roof industry grew by 16.1 percent over the course of 2009.
- Wolf Street Block Wins 'Cool Roof'; Philadelphia Aims to Be Greenest City Exit (May 18, 2010) – Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced that the 1200 Block of Wolf Street has won the RetroFIT PHILLY “Coolest Block” contest.
- Mayor Signs Cool Roof Bill, Names ‘Coolest’ Block Exit (May 16, 2010) – Philadelphia Mayor signed a new cool roof bill into law this week.
- City Leaders Launch “NYC Cool Roofs Program” Exit (May 11, 2010) – This pilot program calls for painting a million square feet of dark rooftops a reflective white color.
- Keeping Things Cool With White Rooftops Exit (May 11, 2010) – New York’s Cool Roof Program is a project aimed at cooling down the city’s buildings by painting the roofs white.
- Columbia Study Finds Con Edison's ‘Cool Roofs’ Save Energy, Help the Environment Exit (May 3, 2010) – A study done by Columbia University finds that both green and white roofs help prevent energy losses and provide important environmental benefits.
April 2010
- Trees provide big savings for every dollar invested by increasing property values, saving energy (April 29, 2010) – A new publication released by the Pacific Southwest Research Station/USDA Forest Service can help residents along the northern California coast to calculate these benefits.
- Green Rooftops a Growing Trend for Businesses Exit (April 12, 2010) – Research shows that replacing the impermeable surface of a standard roof with a green roof provides numerous environmental and economic benefits.
- Study Shows Rising Water Temperatures In U.S. Streams And Rivers Exit (April 8, 2010) – Twenty major U.S. streams and rivers have shown statistically significant long-term warming.
- US Rivers and Streams Heating Up - Temperatures Rising Annually Exit (April 7, 2010) – A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science shows that the temperatures of rivers and streams are rising, especially in urban areas.
- Study Says U.S. Waterways Are Warming Exit (April 6, 2010) – Many streams and rivers in the United States are getting warmer, with the greatest increases in urbanized areas, according to research to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal Frontiers of the Ecology and the Environment.
March 2010
- City studies green roof regulations Exit (March 17, 2010) – Pittsburgh is considering legislation that would define a green roof and establish zoning height allowances for rooftop gardens.
- County seeks Ohio EPA grant for green roof Exit (March 2, 2010) – Lake County Stormwater Management Department has applied to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for a grant to pay for an environmentally-friendly way to resurface a portion of the county’s administration building.
February 2010
- United States Breaks Ground for New Embassy Compound in Belgrade, Serbia (February 10, 2010) – The compound will include the use of trees for shading to reduce heat island effect and use of water- and energy- efficient technologies to reduce the compound’s utility load and carbon footprint.
- What it means for Valley as ‘heat island’ continues to grow (PDF)(2pp, 573k) Exit (February 6, 2010) – A new report on sustainability from the Arizona Indicators’ Decades series notes that the urban heat island effect is increasing in the Phoenix area.
- Kansas City Federal Courthouse Uses Reflective ‘Cool Roof,’ Solar Exit (February 4, 2010) – The Robert J. Dole U.S. Courthouse in Kansas City, Kan., features a “cool roof” reflective membrane designed to keep cooling costs in check.
- Over the Top: Data Show “Green” Roofs Could Cool Urban Heat Islands and Boost Water Conservation Exit (February 2, 2010) – Quantifying the urban climate change-mitigating effects of green roofs is an important step in getting green roofing initiatives off the ground.
January 2010
- White roofs may successfully cool cities Exit (January 28, 2010) – Painting the roofs of buildings white has the potential to significantly cool off cities and mitigate some impacts of global warming, a new study indicates.
- Toronto launches green initiatives designed to build a more sustainable city Exit (January 27, 2010) – On January 31, the City of Toronto will introduce two initiatives designed to “green” Toronto’s new building stock: the Toronto Green Standard and Green Roof Bylaw.
- Made in the Shade Exit (January 22, 2010) – The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority is helping communities to get funds from Pennsylvania’s “TreeVitalize Metro” grant program.
- LiveRoof, LLC Contributes to ‘Extreme Makeover Home Edition’ Exit (January 20, 2010) – The LiveRoof brand hybrid green roof system was chosen as the planted roof on a “green” episode of the Emmy-award winning hit TV show.
- From tar to tendrilsExit (January 15, 2010) – Roofs across Chattanooga continue to receive “green” makeovers with the number of green roofs increasing.
- Cool Roofs, Cool Research Exit (January 14, 2010) – In an attempt to address the energy used to cool cities around the world during hot weather, Hashem Akbari is developing light reflective materials for roofs and pavements.
- New report outlines energy savings of shade trees Exit (January 11, 2010) – The addition of 100,000 trees over a decade could reduce annual energy demands by about 14,000 megawatt-hours annually in the Phoenix area, according to the report.
- D.C. heat stagnates Baltimore’s air Exit (January 8, 2010) – Hot air rises off capital’s buildings and pavement, blows north and gets trapped in Baltimore.
- Ecosystem, Vegetation Affect Intensity of Urban Heat Island Effect Exit (January 5, 2010) – NASA researchers studying urban landscapes have found that the intensity of the “heat island” created by a city depends on the ecosystem it replaced and on the regional climate.
- 2009
December 2009
- Green Roof Wind & Fire Design Guidelines: After Three Years, Half the Battle is Won Exit (December 22, 2009) – Efforts to get design guidelines for minimizing risks of fire and wind uplift for green roof systems inserted into the International Building Code have progressed somewhat.
- Experts discuss Phoenix's heat island effect Exit (December 18, 2009) – BBC Mundo has posted on their Web site a Spanish-language article and video about the urban heat island effect.
- Permaloc contributes to 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Exit (December 16, 2009) – Permaloc’s GeoEdgeTM product was selected as the restraint for a permeable pavement driveway, as well as a green roof, for an episode of the Emmy-award winning hit TV show.
- Ecosystem, Vegetation Affect Intensity of Urban Heat Island Effect (December 15, 2009) – NASA researchers studying urban landscapes have found that the intensity of the “heat island” created by a city depends on the ecosystem it replaced and on the regional climate.
- Closing the Climate Gap Exit (December 13, 2009) – African Americans and low income communities tend to be located in neighborhoods that are likely to experience heat island effects.
- What Global Warming? Exit (December 6, 2009) – A look at the arguments the skeptics make—and how believers respond.
November 2009
- City Pursues Eco-Initiatives Exit (November 28, 2009) – The City of Beloit, Wisconsin began its environmentally friendly program when the City Council unanimously approved a resolution in December of 2007 adopting the Eco-Municipality Sustainable Guidelines for the city.
- Report: AZ's 61% increase in CO2 is the nation's worst Exit (November 18, 2009) – A new report says that in the Southwest, temperatures have climbed faster than the national average in recent decades, partly due to global warming and partly due to the heat island effect.
- The Rooftop Garden Climbs Down a Wall Exit (November 18, 2009) – Some companies are installing edible walls to add to the benefits of vertical gardens by producing food.
- Willis Tower looks to go green, from the rooftops on down Exit (November 1, 2009) – The Willis Tower in Chicago utilizes a green roof to lower energy costs and offset water runoff.
October 2009
- EPA’s New Green Parking Lot Allows Scientists to Study Permeable Surfaces That May Help the Environment (October 28, 2009) – The U.S. EPA is conducting a study that will test a variety of different permeable pavement materials in a parking lot to investigate ways to reduce pollution that can run off paved surfaces and improve how water filters back into the ground.
- The Cool Roof grant program now gets federal tax credit Exit (October 13, 2009) – Chicago’s Cool Roof grant program now also qualifies homeowners to a tax credit thanks to the Federal Stimulus Package.
- MIT Team Invents Color-Changing Roof Tiles Exit (October 9, 2009) – A team of MIT students says they’ve made a roof tile that turns white in hot weather and black in cold weather, capturing the best of both colors.
- Green Roofs Curb Global Warming, Study Finds Exit (October 5, 2009) – Researchers at Michigan State University found that replacing traditional roofing materials with green roofs in an urban area the size of Detroit, with a population of about one million, would capture more than 55,000 tons of carbon.
- Green Roofs: Doing it Bigger, Better Exit (October 3, 2009) – Green roofs have been around at least since the time of the Vikings but are just becoming widespread in the United States.
September 2009
- Greenery plan branches out in Denver Exit (September 28, 2009) – Trees have been planted at parks and neighborhoods identified by Denver Parks and Recreation forestry officials as being “gaps in the canopy” and “urban heat islands.”
- Garden Help: Trees play vital role in health of a city Exit (September 25, 2009) – City trees quietly provide us with many benefits that are very important in today’s urban environment.
- Painting the City White, Literally (September 24, 2009) – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Al Gore launched a campaign to paint buildings’ roofs with a white coating to reduce cooling costs and energy usage.
- Cool roof is like a nice white shirt on a summer day Exit (September 20, 2009) – Energy Secretary Steven Chu is urging Americans to install white roofs to slash cooling costs and help reduce global warming.
- Study: Wealth buys rescue from urban heat island Exit (September 20, 2009) – A new study shows that Phoenix’s sweltering summer inflicts the most misery and illness in poor neighborhoods.
- Landscape Architects Create New Sustainability Resource Guides Exit (September 19, 2009) – The American Society of Landscape Architects has announced a new series of comprehensive online resource guides on sustainable design and planning.
- South Bronx building gets green treatment with help from Habitat for Humanity Exit (September 17, 2009) – Habitat for Humanity is breaking new ground unveiling its first-ever green roof in the South Bronx.
- Recycled glass used to make eco-friendly pavement Exit (September 14, 2009) – A Wisconsin-based company is manufacturing a type of cool pavement from recycled beer bottles and other glass.
- Urban or rural: Which is more energy-efficient? Exit (September 1, 2009) – Urban and rural populations use energy differently.
August 2009
- European researchers study urban heat islands on bikes, from the air and from space Exit (August 31, 2009) – Research teams studied ‘urban heat islands’ using bicycle-mounted equipment in the Netherlands and ground-based and airborne technologies over Greece.
- ‘Living’ roofs: Unusual crop protects homes from the elements Exit (August 26, 2009) – Green roof plants have become a new cash crop in this agricultural community.
- High-tech roofs Exit (August 14, 2009) – ‘Cool roof’ materials make sense in Las Vegas.
- Plantings, not shingles, gaining favor as cover for houses Exit (August 9, 2009) – Although green roofs are most common on businesses, homeowners are starting to take notice.
- D.C. is Giving Green to go Green - on Your Roof Exit (August 5, 2009) – The District is giving out more money to homeowners and businesses who install a green roof.
- Stop the Clock on Global Warming Exit (August 3, 2009) – The Emerald Cities Project is a green initiative aimed at introducing cool pavement products to mitigate the urban heat island effect of the cities.
July 2009
- London ‘needs two million trees’ Exit (July 30, 2009) – An extra two million trees should be planted in London to combat rising temperatures, Mayor Boris Johnson’s environment plan has suggested.
- White Roofs Catch on as Energy Cost Cutters Exit (July 30, 2009) – A white roof can cost as little as 15 percent more than its dark counterpart, depending on the materials used, while slashing electricity bills.
- USPS Unveils NYC’s Biggest Green Roof Exit (July 27, 2009) – Aimed at saving energy and reducing pollution runoff, the U.S. Postal Service has unveiled its first and New York City’s largest green roof.
- Look, Up in the Sky: Green Roofs Exit (July 27, 2009) – Baltimore is emerging as one of the nation’s greener roofed cities, with approximately 150,000 square feet added last year.
- Reflective Roof Paint Repels the Heat Exit (July 15, 2009) – Hyperseal paints can reduce the costs and energy needed for cooling by lowering the amount of heat a building absorbs from the sun.
- White Roofs to Fight Global Warming Exit (July 13, 2009) – U.S. energy secretary Chu backs a novel idea: to whitewash roofs and highways.
- Green Governing Exit (July 12, 2009) – A new San Diego City Hall could be a beacon for how ecology and economic development can interact.
- Using Green Roof Technology to Mitigate D.C. Heat Island Effect Exit (July 11, 2009) – One method to mitigate the heat island effect is to construct green roofs, or a vegetative layer on the roof of a building.
June 2009
- Chicago’s Sears Tower to Receive “Green” Retrofit Exit (June 30, 2009) – This project will result in unparalleled energy savings and reduced carbon dioxide emissions to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
- Sears Tower Unveils Sustainable Plan to Transform Tallest Building in Western Hemisphere Exit (June 24, 2009) – The project will result in unparalleled energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, reducing the base building electricity use by up to 80 percent, which includes a combination of energy savings and co-generation.
- Rooftop Gardeners Harvest Hefty Tax Breaks Exit (June 23, 2009) – The green roof movement is gaining momentum around the country as more lawmakers are enlightened about the energy-saving benefits of establishing gardens on the roofs of city buildings.
- Bethany Blues Goes Green with New Roof Garden Exit (June 18, 2009) – This Delaware restaurant is installing a green roof to cut down on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint, as well as prolong the lifespan of the roof.
May 2009
- Energy Chief Steven Chu Joins Phoenix Mayor’s Push for White Roofs Exit (May 27, 2009) – Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu are on the same page when it comes to reducing urban heat islands and energy consumption.
- Obama’s Climate Guru: Paint Your Roof White! Exit (May 27, 2009) – Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy, has encouraged making roofs and pavements white or light-colored to help reduce global warming by both conserving energy and reflecting sunlight back into space.
- Toronto Adopts “Green Roof” Requirements Exit (May 27, 2009) – Toronto’s city council passed a new bylaw setting minimum “green roof” requirements on all classes of new buildings.
- Looking at Europe’s Green Ways Exit (May 24, 2009) – U.S. leaders are looking abroad for guidance in developing green building and energy saving techniques such as green roofs.
- U.S. Green Roof Industry Grows By 35 Percent in 2008 (PDF) (1p, 33k) Exit (May 20, 2009) – Green Roofs for Healthy Cities conducted a survey of green roofs projects which indicates a U.S. growth rate of more than 35 percent over 2007, representing more than 3.1 million square feet installed in 2008.
- Council to Consider New Tree Rules Exit (May 14, 2009) – The Austin City Council is considering proposed rules that would require tree plantings and preservation.
- Cities to Sizzle as Islands of Heat Exit (May 10, 2009) – London and other cities could see summer temperatures rise to more than 10°C above those in the surrounding countryside, according to research being used to help devise the first official climate change map of Britain.
April 2009
- Innovative Desert Garden Promotes Sustainability Exit (April 22, 2009) – The School of Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona has created an innovative desert landscape to address the urban heat island effect.
- Toronto Mulls Mandatory Green Roofs Exit (April 16, 2009) – The City of Toronto is considering a proposed green roof by-law that would make green roof installations mandatory on certain new developments with a gross floor area exceeding 54,000 square feet.
- WPI’s ‘Green’ Residence Hall Garners Prestigious Recognition for its Sustainable Features Exit(April 9, 2009) – Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) newest and most environmentally conscious residence hall, East Hall, features the city of Worcester’s first “green” roof.
March 2009
- It’s Not Easy Turning Co-op Boards Green Exit (March 22, 2009) – The politics at residential buildings, which are notoriously contentious, have become even more so as environmental issues have entered the fray.
- Researchers: Atlanta’s ‘Heat-Island’ Intensified 2008 Tornado Exit (March 14, 2009) – One year after a tornado tore through Atlanta, researchers at the University of Georgia and Purdue University say the city’s asphalt splendor may have helped create the destructive storm.
- Mayor Gordon Wants Phoenix to be Solar Silicon Valley Exit (March 11, 2009) – Mayor Phil Gordon wants Phoenix to have a carbon-neutral footprint – a plan that includes painting rooftops white to reflect the sun and using canals for green enterprises.
February 2009
- Chicago Promising Greenest Olympics in 2016 Bid Exit (February 22, 2009) – The City of Chicago has implemented various “green” strategies, such as a green roofs program and renewable energy initiatives, and hopes to host the Olympics in 2016.
- Why Some Cities Are Getting Drier as Skyscrapers Rise Exit (February 17, 2009) – Recent research shows that urban growth may be a factor in creating a drier, or different, regional climate.
- New City Council Proposal Aims to Grow Green Spaces High Above the City Exit (February 10, 2008) – Building owners who put plants, grass or even white paint on their roof to soak up heat and rainwater could get big tax breaks under a New York City Council proposal.
- Congress Mulls Green Roof Tax Credit Exit (February 3, 2009) – Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 (S.320) legislation which contains financial incentives for commercial and residential green roof installation.
January 2009
- Green Roof a Part of Airport Wish List Exit (January 31, 2009) – Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio is seeking funding to support the construction of a green roof.
- Road Builders Compete For Slice Of Stimulus Exit (January 30, 2009) – In competing for funding from the economic stimulus package, the concrete industry argues that their material provides benefits such as reduced ambient temperatures.
- Far from Tar: Ecoroofs Take Root in Portland Exit (January 20, 2009) – Green roofs are spreading in Portland, Oregon, in part due to local legislation and incentives which encourage the use of vegetation in urban areas.
- Chandler to Finish First ‘Green’ Building in October Exit (January 16, 2009) – The City of Chandler, Arizona, will open its new fire administration headquarters in October, which incorporates various green building principles, including cool roofs.
- Is Your Community Planning for Trees? Exit (January 15, 2009) – The American Planning Association has released a report, “Planning the Urban Forest: Ecology, Economy, and Community Development”, the result of a three year study on the impacts and benefits of urban forests.
- Urban Heat Island Exit (January 13, 2009) – A satellite image of the Twin Cities in Minnesota shows the warmer temperatures surrounding the urban areas.
- Cities are Key Culprits in Weather Shifts Exit (January 11, 2009) – Phoenix, the host of American Meteorological Society Annual Conference, provides an example of how urban areas influence local weather.
- Dallas Launches Unique Tree Planting on Skillman Road Medians Exit (January 8, 2009) – Dallas’ Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) encourages neighborhoods to adopt street medians to plant trees which shade Dallas roadways to combat the urban heat island effect.
- Old Stories
- White Washed: Could a Coat of Paint Fight Global Warming? Exit (September 10, 2008) – Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California shows that the heat savings from having reflective roofs and pavements could offset huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
- High Temps On Turf Fields Spark Safety Concerns Exit (August 7, 2008) – Recent evidence shows that artificial turf surfaces heat up significantly, raising concerns about health.