All Posts Tagged With: "green roofs"

Gasoline production is never actually going to be "green" but to show they really care, British Petroleum has been going the extra mile for the environment in other areas. A Los Angeles BP , Helios House, is the nation’s first station to operate with high "green" standards which includes low-flow toilets, solar panels, a rain-catchment system and floors made from recycled glass, everything green (except its product.) The station also hands out tips on being green and seeds you can plant in your home garden.

Here in Baltimore we have our very own "growing" equivalent. The BP station across from the Museum of Industry off Key Highway has a greenroof on both the convenience store and the car wash. This roof was was planted in spring, 2007 by me, your GOforChange contributor, while working for Furbish Co . The easiest — and probably the only — way to see it is if you have any friends with roof-top decks in South Baltimore. Although most of us can’t see it, it is helping improve air, lowering the urban heat-island effect, and slowing storm water run-off.

Is BP acting "Beyond Petroleum" or is it closer to greenwashing? Listen to NPR news story.

Greenwash is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.” View a list of America’s 10 worst offenders from The Green LIfe.

We have two new programs starting up, including the Green Website Adventure Tour, which begins the week of July 13. Join me on a F*R*E*E phonecall to find out more: Friday, July 3 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Baltimore Civic Works was developed out of Baltimore’s branch of Americorps in 1993. Their mission is to build a future for the cities youth through community service and skill development. From basic literacy instruction to job-training for entry level careers in the field of environmental technology. Hundreds of AmeriCorps members mentor its students by transforming abandoned lots into parks and gardens, and by leading neighborhood clean up, rehab projects, and after school programs.

The city and it’s youth not only benefit from this program but the AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance and educational award. Don’t have a GED? You can get one as a member. Sign up today.

You can also get involved by checking out Civic Works Cool Roofs Program. Thanks to a grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust the program has applied living roofs to a number of low-income homes.

Green Roof Plants is located at Emory Knoll Farms in Street, Maryland. Proving over 100 varieties of plants Emory Knoll has extensive experience with roofing systems, soil mixes, climates, and working with manufacturers and designers. The farm also supports sustainable design by having solar pumps for all water needs in the greenhouse and photovoltaic panels for most electric needs.