A condominium building in my town is preparing to install new roof. I want them to plant grass and flowers up there. The condo board thinks I'm nuts, but there's method to my madness. A landscaped roof lasts longer than a conventional roof. The layers of earth and foliage also provide insulation, making the building more energy-efficient. Plus, in a busy city, it's nice to have a green escape overhead.

More about vegetated roof covers:

• Green Roofs from the US Environmental Protection Agency
• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)
• Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference