Why DWARS is fighting for the construction of green roofs

On social media, we are drawing attention to green roofs through a playful campaign. On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram we that by making the roofs of nativity scenes green, but of course our ambition extends beyond that. We want to make the Netherlands aware of the many benefits of green roofs in terms of energy, environment, nature, health, safety and enjoyment of life. A brief summary of the pluses:

• Green roofs hold more water than roof tiles. This means less water is discharged to the sewer system, which the chance of floods reduced by large peak showers.
• Green roofs offer good insulation for houses: in summer, green roofs cool the house as the greenery evaporates water, while in winter the greenery acts as an extra layer of insulation, keeping residents warm.
• Green roofs are good for the health. The greenery captures dust particles and produces oxygen, purifying the air. Especially in cities, green roofs can contributions To better human and animal health.
• Green roofs contribute to urban biodiversity: animals and plants can move around more easily, creating more patches of nature in the city.
• Green roofs reduce the heat island effect, which includes the labour productivity benefits and reduces aggression.

German in the bag

Enough reasons to install green roofs on a large scale. DWARS is therefore convinced of the importance of actively encouraging the construction of green roofs. We want the government at both national and local level to contribute structurally to greening the Dutch roof landscape. As the Amsterdam chapter of GroenLinks wrote earlier, the government can do so by 'stimulating, facilitating, coordinating and making its own contribution'. In other words, by subsidising green roofs, simplifying rules concerning the construction of green roofs, setting out a long-term vision for the construction of green roofs and conducting an outward campaign in favour of the construction of green roofs, so that the Netherlands becomes aware of the many advantages of greening our roof landscape. With the latter, we hereby lend a hand.