On April 22 (the day before Earth Day, in fact), the New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, also ,known as the "Green New Deal," which consists of a package of bills and resolutions created to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency throughout the Big Apple. This move affects all buildings-both residential and commercial-and the spotlight is on green roofs.
"We've already seen the revolutionary benefits of green roofs in action thanks to places around the city like Brooklyn Steel, the Barclays Center, the Javits Center, the USPS Morgan Processing and Distribution Center, and many others," said Rafael Espinal, the NYC council member, 37th District, who sponsored the bill. "They cool down cities by mitigating the urban heat island effect, cut energy costs, absorb air pollution, reduce stormwater runoff, promote biodiversity, provide soundproofing, and make our cities more livable for all."