France, the epicenter of style and fashion, has recently dealt a blow to the detractors of solar panels and green roofs by passing legislation that will require all new commercial buildings to feature green roofs. New buildings constructed in French commercial zones will have to be partially covered by either living foliage or solar panels, under the new law, which, albeit less drastic than its initial form (which would have applied to all buildings and the entire surface of roofs), will have a significant impact. Installing solar panels will obviously add green energy to France’s massive energy appetite. Green roofs will bring their own plethora of environmentally friendly features. Higher costs –bigger returns Green roofs significantly increase the insulation of a structure, thus decreasing the need for air conditioning and heating. According to a recent study by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Università Politecnica delle Marche researchers, roofs with dense vegetation are 60 percent more efficient than traditional roofs and can in fact act as passive cooling systems. Furthermore green roofs absorb less heat during the day than traditional roofs, thus lowering the heat island effect that plagues cities, especially large urban environments. This is further exacerbated by the fact that green roofs release less energy during the night than they absorb during the day. Moreover, green roofs absorb a large quantity of rainwater, reducing runoff, decreasing the pressure put on city sewage systems, especially during large weather events. When local and/or drought-resistant flora is used for green roofs, there is little to no added water consumption. Green roofs also contribute to healthier environments by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen and providing shelter and nesting places for birds and small local fauna, contributing to local biodiversity. Green roofs can also be used as gardens...