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Green Roofs – Reducing the eco-footprint of Jackson Heights…and New York City. By Theodore Lane (Queens College) - Nature in New York. NYC is an Urban Ecosystem. A natural cycle; we’re a part of it Our Ecological Foot Print shows: We consume more than our share
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Green Roofs –Reducing the eco-footprint of Jackson Heights…and New York City By Theodore Lane (Queens College) - Nature in New York
NYC is an Urban Ecosystem • A natural cycle; we’re a part of it • Our Ecological Foot Print shows: • We consume more than our share • We create more waste than the system can handle • We cannot go on like this…
My Community-Jackson Heights, in the summer it’s HOT! • Roofs trap heat & buildings stay warm all night • Hot air encourages more ozone pollution, aggravates health problems • More heat = more air conditioning = more electricity = greater eco-footprint • Demand for ethnic goods transported from far away = greater eco-footprint
NYC -Combined Sewage Overflow System When it rains everything flows into one “big pipe” to the treatment plant Contaminated run off from roofs/streets enters the sewer system More electricity used by treatment plant + overflow into nature = greater eco-footprint
NYC – We need more green • We use a great deal of fossil fuels and release considerable heat waste • More plants and trees would help a lot toward establishing sustainability and reducing eco-footprint • Where’s the space for these plants and trees?
Think up, not down – Green Roofs • Absorb heat, keep the city cooler = lower eco-footprint • Slow runoff, hold the rainwater = lower eco-footprint • Take air pollution and creates cleaner air = lower eco-footprint • Space to grow ethnic produce here in NYC = lower eco-footprint
Green Roofs – they’re already here • Rockefeller Center • A garden in the middle of the city
The Queens Botanical Garden • New Visitor/Administration Building opens Fall 2006 • Shows that roof top garden are environmentally beneficial – shows NYC is beginning to think ahead
Other Green Roofs in Queens • Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development (PICCED) • First industrial Green Roof in NYC (11,000 square feet) • Potential green area in L.I.C. equals Prospect Park’s – Imagine what Jackson Heights could contribute…
Historical Landmark District – receptive to green roofs? • Area known for historical gardens but will green roofs be received well? • “Preservationist” thinking of residents • Co-op boards concerned about costs
Tell all the Neighbors… • Posters – an ad blitz in the busy transit hubs • Mock green roof in local park • Volunteers to explain – distribute literature • On top of schools • Show co-op boards how they will save $$$ • Expand existing garden contests between buildings to include rooftops
Think Green (roofs)! Green Roofs – Beautiful and bring balance toour Urban Ecosystem…let’s be part of the solution and stop being part of the problem