Extensive greenery coverage on building rooftops could significantly reduce temperatures at the city scale and decrease energy costs, according to a new study.

Modeling shows green roofs can cool cities and save energy::Extensive greenery coverage on building rooftops could significantly reduce temperatures at the city scale and decrease energy costs, according to a new study.

  • Fermion@mander.xyzEnglish
    61·
    9 months ago

    We need the world to be a better place more than we need the economy to have maximum efficiency.

    I agree.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
      22·
      9 months ago

      You’re both ignoring the full costs of maintenance.

      And by costs, I mean more than dollars.

      What’s the energy cost of the folks who maintain these things? The materiel and it’s energy cost? Tools/equipment that wouldn’t otherwise be required?

      It’s surprisingly far more complex than just reduced AC expenditure. Are we sure that all the inputs over the life cycle have been accounted for?

      It’s rare for a new system (of any type, in any industry) to actually reduce costs (again, all costs, not just money), let alone to the degree they’re purported. Typically we see incremental improvements, and usually a loss in some unpredicted way.

      Good analysis is difficult, even for simple systems.

      Hopefully these ideas pan out, my suspicion is they’re effective for a narrow set of conditions.

      Also, not a new idea at all.