Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- August 25, 2009
Homeowners considering "green" roofs should weigh costs and benefits (:49)
[Click here to listen, or right-click to download and save MP3 audio file]
Suggested Intro:
ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE EMBRACING "GREEN" ROOFS AS A HOT NEW TREND FOR REDUCING STORMWATER RUN-OFF AND IMPROVING A COMMUNITY'S WATER QUALITY . BUT AN EXPERT IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS THEY WORK BEST IN CERTAIN SETTINGS. GARY ABDULLAH HAS MORE:
Story:
(:18) GREEN-ROOF TECHNOLOGY REPLACES THE SHINGLES ON YOUR HOME WITH A THIN LAYER OF SOIL AND LIVING, GROWING PLANTS. IT CAN REDUCE STORMWATER RUN-OFF, IMPROVE COMMUNITY WATER QUALITY, ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY, CUT HEATING AND COOLING COSTS AND ADD BEAUTY TO A BUILDING. BUT PENN STATE HORTICULTURIST ROB BERGHAGE SAYS ECONOMICALLY, IT MAY NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE:
Berghage Actuality:
(:17) "YOU GET A LOT OF BENEFITS FROM IT, BUT ANY ONE OF THOSE THINGS I CAN DO PROBABLY A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER ON THE GROUND IF I HAVE SPACE. NOW, IF YOU THINK ABOUT A CITY LIKE PHILADELPHIA OR DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH IN THE TRIANGLE, THERE'S NO SPACE ON THE GROUND TO DO THESE THINGS. AND THEN IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO PUT IT UP ON THE ROOF."(:13) BERGHAGE SAYS WHILE THE EXTRA WEIGHT OF SOIL AND PLANTS MEANS MOST RESIDENTIAL HOMES WOULD NEED EXPENSIVE STRUCTURAL REVISIONS, THE TECHNOLOGY IS WELL-SUITED FOR MANY USES, FROM BIG-BOX STORES TO OFFICE BUILDINGS. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.
# # #
Learn more:
[AIRWAVES] [STORY INDEX] [NEWS RELEASES] [RELATED LINKS] [HOME]