Green Roof Resource

London’s air pollution made it into this week’s Economist, where proposed efforts to reduce fine-particle and nitrogen oxide pollution by the city’s mayor are seen as flawed. The effort would establish a low-emissions zone through most of the city and fining those vehicles that fail to meet European emission standards. The 2006 Environment Report published by Transport for London (TfL) establishes the need to address these pollutants. The report includes graphics on average pollutant levels throughout the greater London area, which clearly demonstrates higher levels of pollution in the center.

What is less clear is how effective it will be to only target commercial vehicles. Pollution from mobile sources is dependent upon more factors than the type of vehicle. One must also consider number of vehicles of that type on the road as well as the total distance driven by that vehicle. Cars may generate less urban air pollution per vehicle, but the total number of cars in the city corridor may significantly impact local air quality. Sounds to me like London needs more trees (or green roofs). Although with over 92,000 m2 of green roofs in the greater London area, perhaps they are (with the help of those like LivingRoofs) already on the right track.