People are being affected by urban heat islands every day, whether you know it or not. Urban heat islands are caused by areas in cities that have high concentrations of hard, dry, dark surfaces. These surfaces can include cement, pavement, asphalt, and roofing. These surfaces absorb and re-emit the solar energy from the sun, more than natural surfaces would. These urban heat islands can even raise the whole city's temperatures 1-7 degrees Fahrenheit. This will become a bigger and bigger problem if we do not address it now. Increased heat causes plants' and animals' ecosystems to be disturbed. Increased heat also causes various health problems in humans like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration but can also worsen existing problems like asthma. Overall, increased heat is not good for anyone, but it can be worse for some than others. 

The more pavement and reflective roofing added to our buildings, the more heat there will be in Cambridge, and the less room there will be for lush, natural spaces. We need more green spaces in Cambridge to absorb the carbon dioxide in the air which helps combat climate change. These green spaces are cooler than the dry hard surfaces I listed earlier because they don't capture and re-emit the sun's heat the same way. Green spaces shade also cools down areas. 

A way we could implement these natural spaces in Cambridge is by having more green roofs on government buildings like schools, libraries, and places like city hall. Green roofs are an easy solution, cooling the air, and reducing CO2 without disturbing the existing spaces on the ground. Green roofs not only help with urban heat islands, but they also help with energy conservation. Green roofs are actually 30-40 degrees colder than a normal roof. This keeps the inside of buildings from overheating, which conserves energy. In addition, green roofs help the environment by absorbing stormwater. With a regular roof, stormwater would drain to the ground, and pick up pollutants and microplastics on the way to the nearest body of water. With a green roof, plants would use water, while keeping surrounding bodies of water healthier than before. 

I hope after learning the benefits of green roofs, you are convinced that we need to take action.