Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010 - (Page 11)

THE LEAF EFFECT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND TH E P RO MI SE O F GR E E N J O B S By Michael Krause, Peter Lowi� and Steven Peck ccelerating investment in leafy green infrastructure, such as green roofs, urban forests, green walls, community gardens and bioswales has tremendous unrealized potential to create green jobs, reduce infrastructure costs, cool urban areas and improve the health and well-being of our communities. As federal policymakers consider additional strategies for expanding so-called “green collar jobs,” they should include incentives that not only create and retain thousands of permanent jobs in green infrastructure, but also fundamentally change our urban landscapes for the better. In 2009, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and the American Society of Landscape Architects worked with United States’ Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State to introduce a 30 percent tax incen- tive to spur investment in the green roof industry. This legislation is still “in the mix” as U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration consider their next steps to create jobs. At the same time, green infrastructure – especially green roofs and urban forests – emerged as an important carbon mitigation and sequestration strategy at last year’s climate talks in Copenhagen. While the outcome in Copenhagen was disappointing to many, there was clear consensus that adding more leafy surfaces throughout the world’s cities, towns and rural spaces is critical to address climate change. It is this convergence of jobs, energy, climate and health that provides incentives for green infrastructure the potential for significant returns on investment. For example, a 2008 study – Creating Jobs and Stimulating the Economy Through Investment in Green Water Infrastructure, coLIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR WINTER 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010
Contents
Laying Roots for Green Jobs
Outstanding Student Design
Passing of a Legend
New Federal Stormwater Guidelines From EPA
Partnering Science with Service
On the Roof with...Eden Brukman, Reg. Arch., LEED(R) AP
The Leaf Effect
Who Owns the Green Roof?
Planting the Federal Inventory
Curb Appeal
Maintenance Matters
Professional Development Update
Professional Calendar
Congratulations New GRPS
Welcome New Corporate Members
Green Roof Energy Calculator
Doing No Harm

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010