Cities are getting hotter due to climate change and the way buildings and roads absorb and hold heat. One way cities try to stay cooler is by adding green roofs-rooftops covered with plants. These roofs help reduce surface temperatures, manage stormwater, and make cities more livable.

This study looked at how green roofs perform in ten major U.S. cities. Using satellite images, it compared temperatures and sunlight reflectivity between green roofs and regular roofs. In most cities, green roofs stayed cooler, meaning they absorbed less heat.

The biggest benefits were seen in cities that have strong policies or programs that support green roofs. This shows that with the right support, green roofs can play an important role in making cities more resilient to heat and climate change.