Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2020 - 1

FROM THE FOUNDER

FINDING THE SILVER LINING
AMIDST THE PANDEMIC CHAOS

S

ummer is officially here, but it doesn't feel
like it. That's because the whole landscape
has changed. In today's COVID-19
world, even loved ones are potential threats
to our health. Millions remain unemployed.
Misinformation about the pandemic spreads
faster than the virus - exploiting our fears and
divisions. The economy lurches back to life,
albeit unevenly. But because my dad brought
me up as an optimist and as an entrepreneur,
I wonder: Is there a silver lining in all of this?
Can we emerge stronger? Here are my top
five suggestions.
1. The science is clear: accessible, safe
green space is critically important for the
maintenance of our mental health and
physical well being. More and more people
realize this because for many, the pandemic
has meant no access to greenery. Millions
of people have come to realize that having
a nearby park, a rooftop garden or a lush
green wall, can make a big difference in
their daily lives. People are hungry for green
space now more than ever. We need the
rapid adoption of policies that grow quality
green space in, on and around our buildings.
Jeff Joslin points the way for policy makers
on pages 23-25.
2. Images of empty shelves in grocery
stores, closed processing plants, restricted
international borders and the shortage
of farm workers provides a much-needed
wake up call about the fragility of our
food systems. Policies that enable the
protection of regional farming, and the
expansion of urban agriculture improve
our food resiliency. And a great place to
make this happen is on roofs. Investment
in greater food resiliency today will save
billions in potential damage from inevitable
disruptions in the future.
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3. The destruction of the world's forests
and resulting closer contact between wild
animals and humans have been blamed
for the development of new viruses. This
provides another reason to protect forests.
We can also protect and enhance urban
biodiversity, with policies and programs that
reduce the negative impact of buildings on
birds, instead designing them to support
native flora and fauna. For greater context
on this, see Brad Rowe's article (pages 8-9)
on native vs. non-native plants.
4. Viruses don't distinguish between the
rich and poor victims. In that sense we
are all in this together. However, because
far too many people are living on the
edge financially, the coronavirus has been
particularly tragic for these members of
our society. The ongoing systematic killing
of black people, and institutional racism
faced by all people of color makes the
pandemic even harder to bear. Moreover,
many of these individuals are on the
front line, providing important essential
services. Given unprecedented levels
of unemployment, there is a growing
awareness of the importance and benefits
of establishing living wage policies, and a
basic level of income security for everyone.
These policies would not only strengthen
the economy, but would also go a long
way to improving social equity. GRHC is
committed to improving the lives of people
of color and has established a scholarship
program to support green infrastructure
training for youth. An initial $10,000 has
been set aside to facilitate their access to
our many training programs and virtual
events.
5. Generating employment for the postCOVID recovery should be every policy

makers priority. Instead of megaprojects
built faraway, we need to embrace green
infrastructure development in our
neighborhoods. JennCourt's overview of
the economic impact study of the green
infrastructure sector in Ontario (page 26)
shows that the industry is already large and
ready. Rohan Lilauwala's report (pages 12-18)
about the results of six green infrastructure
charettes provides a sense of the huge
opportunities that await us.
Let's grab this time and set some
aspirational goals and work plans. Let's aim
to green 10 per cent of all of our rooftops
and walls, regenerate wetlands, build tens of
thousands of bioswales, and have 40 per cent
of city land covered in leafy green urban
trees by 2050. Investments in these measures
will stimulate local economies now, and also
pay out dividends for generations to come.
The pandemic has shone a bright light on
our weaknesses, and on the racism that
continues to threaten people of color and
prevent them from achieving their dreams.
Together, they have shone a bright revealing
light on how fragile the things we rely upon
truly are.
Let us work together to ensure that this
new awareness lights the path to a better
future.
Sincerely yours,

Steven W. Peck,
GRP, Honorary ASLA
Founder and President

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / SUMMER 2020 / 1
http://www.LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM
Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2020

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