Why I Care about Green Roofs on Schools

Lonna Dawson

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June 6, 2013

HRAP-december-group-shot1-300x199.jpg

NYC High School Students in the Human Rights Advocacy Program, committed to the fight against climate change

This is a guest blog from Karina, a student at Manhattan Hunter Science High School in Manhattan, NYC. She is one of hundreds of students attending the forthcoming Act Now: Environmental Activism Conference this week in NYC (hosted by ACE, CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform, City Growers and Global Kids). The conference is designed for young people to connect with environmental activists, educators and regulators to amplify their voices and push the needle toward solving climate change. Karina will be there to advocate for green roofs on NYC public schools. Sign her petition here: https://www.change.org/petitions/green-roofs-on-new-york-city-public-schools

Why I Care about Green Roofs on Schools

By Karina , 15, Sophomore, Manhattan Hunter Science High School, Manhattan

By cooling buildings, green roofs help lower the amounts of fossil fuels normally used to cool buildings. Green roofs also help save money because the money needed to cool the building will decrease. Green jobs will be created, aiding the economy. Green roofs also help the environment by decreasing water run offs from storms and by making the air cleaner because plants get rid of excessive carbon dioxide. This will lead to public health improvements.

Implementation of green roofs on schools can serve educational purposes as well creating hands on activities for students. Many resources used by schools such as paper, plastic and cardboard are unsustainable. Because of schools’ use of resources, they should give back to the environment and become more sustainable by installing green roofs. In the fight against climate change, New York is one of the most important players. New York has influence on the actions of other cities. We want New York to take the initiative and lead the rest of the world in installing green roofs. With your support, we hope to make this happen by getting government support through petitions and rallies. Without the support of the government, this idea is far from becoming a reality. The government needs to invest now for a greater future. In the end, green roofs will help save money and will have an immense positive impact on the world, an impact that we, the young people of earth, need to see.

Lonna Dawson

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