\\\'Trending in\\\' and getting environmentally wise

The Asian edition of TIME magazine in its "Trending In" section of  April 06 issue presented an interesting, valuable, useful and a fascinating roof-top idea which may be followed in our towns and cities.                                                                                            

When the summer sky is clear, we can get free electricity from the solar panels. Further, the proposed suggestion for having rooftop vegetation will be soaking up the run-off rains to boost plant growth on the rooftop green zone, will also conserve electricity needed for cooling the building interior during summer. I think Asian cities that have hot summers and also a plenty of rain in summer, should pass municipal laws so that all buildings must have roofs covered in vegetation, for keeping it cool and also saving scarce electricity during summer. Furthermore; any roof that gets sunlight if it is not blocked by adjacent high rises, must have solar panels for which the import duty on solar panel components needs to be reduced in overall national interest.

It will be a simple and most likely a very effective idea and in all cases vegetation should be done on all rooftops in the tropical and partially lower temperate climatic regions. We can possibly grow some seasonal vegetable plants, so that each home becomes a mini selective vegetable producer.

Shakil Mansoor,

Dhaka, Bangladesh.

sam@dhakacom.com