Chicago is planning rooftop gardens in an effort to cool the city and reduce smog' Chicago is already planning to plant rooftop gardens in an effort to cool the city in the summer and reduce smog. Planting lawns, shrubs and trees with non-invasive root structures will provide a reflective barrier for the heat. It will also help improve the air quality of the area by absorbing carbon dioxide and by producing oxygen. Chicago presently violates federal air quality standards on a regular basis. Hotter temperatures increase smog by forcing air conditioning units and electric plants to work harder and emit more pollution, city and EPA officials said.
Pollution reacts with heat and sunlight to create smog.
Another result of rooftop gardens is an opportunity to lower stress in the workplace. Large office buildings with green roofs can provide a place for stressed out employees to unwind. A park at the top of the elevator would be a great place to take a lunch and to relax for a while away from the hustle of the city. These gardens also increase the habitat for many species of birds by providing more nesting area within the city. Monitored for the Institute by Roger Knights.