Sustainability Weekly
Fridays are for…
NYC Bike Storage, Biosolar Roofs, Nature-based Urban Solutions, and more!
by Alli DiGiacomo
Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend! If you plan to stay in the NYC area for the weekend, there are plenty of events to enjoy in many of the city’s parks! A few include the New York Botanical Garden’s new Alice in Wonderland exhibit, the Makers Market at Bryant Park, the rooftop at the Met, or checking out Torch and Crown’s Union Square Pop-up. It is a wonderful weekend to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather this time of year!
Keep reading below for some hopeful stories and positive sustainability news worth sharing!
T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S
NYC LOOKS TO ADD 500 NEW SECURE BIKE STORAGE LOCATIONS
New York City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to add 500 new secure bike parking facilities over the next five years to encourage cycling and reduce theft. The city seeks companies to construct enclosed storage hubs, each accommodating about a dozen bikes and occupying one parking space. These facilities will not be free, but the cost is yet to be determined. The goal is to offer long-term storage in residential areas for those who lack space or cannot manage heavy e-bikes in their homes.
Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi emphasized the need for safe and convenient bike storage as the city’s population grows and more people use bikes, including e-bikes. Once a contractor is chosen, the DOT will identify installation sites, both in parking spaces and off-street locations. Larger facilities are also planned near major transit hubs, with secure spots for various bike types and charging stations. There will also be bike racks with built-in locks installed so cyclists don't need to carry their own locks.
GREEN ROOF OR ROOFTOP SOLAR? YOU CAN COMBINE THEM TO CREATE A “BIOSOLAR” ROOF - BOOSTING BOTH BIODIVERSITY AND POWER OUTPUT
A recent study explored the benefits of combining green roofs with solar panels, creating "biosolar" roofs. Traditional solar panels lose efficiency as temperatures rise above 80°F, but green roofs help moderate these temperatures. The study found that biosolar roofs can reduce average maximum temperatures by about 46°F, resulting in up to a 107% increase in solar panel efficiency during peak periods. This temperature reduction not only enhanced solar output but also led to substantial energy savings for building heating and cooling.
The study compared a biosolar roof with a conventional roof, both equipped with equal solar systems, on two similar buildings in Sydney. Interestingly, the study found that plants thrived under the solar panels, suggesting that shading from the panels does not hinder plant growth but can actually support a robust roof garden. The biosolar roof, which included a mix of native and non-native plants, supported significantly more biodiversity than the conventional roof, housing four times as many bird species, over seven times as many arthropods, twice as many snail and slug species, and a diverse range of microorganisms, including algae and fungi.
Overall, the study demonstrated that biosolar roofs do not require a choice between a green roof or a solar roof. Instead, combining the two can maximize benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, increased solar efficiency, stormwater runoff reduction, pollutant removal, and improved insulation. This system, which requires moderate maintenance and no energy inputs, could play a significant role in advancing net-zero cities.
91% OF EUROPE’S CITIES ARE LOOKING TO NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Cities are home to a majority of Europe’s population and are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. A report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that 91% of European cities are implementing nature-based solutions to combat climate change, such as maintaining parks, urban forests, and green roofs, as well as enhancing natural water retention. These strategies are proving effective for cooling and water management, while also providing recreational spaces and reducing pollution. This shift comes in response to severe climate impacts like the record summer heat waves and flooding of 2023, highlighting the urgent need for urban resilience.
The EEA's first-ever European climate risk assessment emphasizes the urgent need for tailored adaptation efforts, given the continent's rapid warming and the heightened risks to urban areas. It calls for specific, measurable targets at local, national, and European levels to guide and scale up adaptation actions effectively while engaging citizens.
MORE IN SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
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Researchers at USC develop a plastic that digests itself.
Biodiversity loss is biggest driver of infectious disease outbreaks, says study.
Do you specify engineered stone in your projects? The latest on its link to rises in Silicosis cases, a progressive and incurable lung disease.
Costa Rica sets an example for outlawing zoos.
The Devils Hole Pupfish is back from the brink of extinction.
Sustainable Tech SPOTLIGHT: The Good Plastic Company
400 million tons of plastic waste is generated annually worldwide, and 70% of a product's life cycle is determined during the design phase. The Good Plastic Company addresses this by converting plastic waste into decorative materials. Polygood Material is the Good Plastic Company’s flagship product, a 100% recycled and recyclable plastic panel that offers designers a 100% circular alternative to conventional surfacing materials. Polygood has a GWP (global warming potential) of only 487 kg per ton, which is eight times lower than using virgin polystyrene and six times more eco-friendly than traditional acrylic-based solid surface materials.
Currently the Cradle to Cradle certified company has 76 employees and over 400 clients, including IKEA, Nike, McDonalds, Coach, BMW, and more. The factories in the Netherlands and Ukraine use shipments from Germany to create products such as kitchen countertops, art installations, outdoor lighting, and more. Next steps for the Good Plastic Company are to open an factory in the US.