the more typical black tar-and-asphalt building rooftop leads to a phenomenon called the ‘urban heat Island’ effect. the endless swath of black rooftops and pavement trap heat, causing cities to be 6 to 10 degrees warmer than outlying greenbelt areas. one-sixth of all electricity consumed in the U.S. goes to cool buildings. the academy’s green rooftop keeps the building’s interior an average of 10 degrees cooler than a standard roof would. the plants also transform carbon dioxide into oxygen, capture rainwater, and reduce energy needs for heating and cooling.