A greener approach to living in France

A new law passed in France mandates that new buildings in commercial lots need to have either plants or solar panels on the roof.

 

Having a garden on your roof sounds like a paradise, one that’s easily obtainable. Plants create an isolating effect to help reduce the energy needed to heat or cool houses. They also absorb rainwater to help prevent leaks, provide a home to small critters and insects and most importantly connects us back to nature. 

 

Originally, French environmental activists wanted the law to cover the entire roof but they decided to start with partially covered roofs to see how it does. Solar panels on the roofs of businesses is amazing because it helps reduce the amount of energy, while creating sustainable, renewable energy instead. This concept is already popular in Germany, Australia and Canada.

 

When ideas like this come out, it’s both exciting and frustrating. Why don’t such brilliant concepts actually take off? Many artists, designers, architects and scientists have created incredible, sustainable ideas that corporations just can’t seem to bank on so the attention is never properly given.