Giving Back Some Brotherly Love: Greening/Preening

Discovery Channel is making an example out of us. Philadelphia has been chosen as the best location for a demonstration and documentary on "urban heat islands" as part of DC's new series of eco-programming, "10 Ways to Save the Planet." An urban heat island is a metro area where the temperatures are significantly higher than those of surrounding areas. We always felt baked onto the sidewalks in the summer, and there's a good reason for that: as greenery is replaced by buildings and asphalt, which absorb rather than reflect heat, up the mercury goes, sometimes by as much as 10 degrees.

To combat this effect in a North Philadelphia neighborhood, DC is sponsoring a volunteer greening weekend, August 18-20 (okay, a long weekend). Volunteers will paint buildings and "transform" rooftops, and soak up some of their 15 minutes of fame with the sunshine. The end result will be one fewer urban heat island in our midst, and possibly an opportunity to call all the relatives and tell them you're on the t.v.

To get in on this action, give Terry at GP Cares a call (215-564-4544) or email. There are morning and afternoon shifts available on all three days.

Ten Ways to Save the Planet
August 18, 19, 20, morning or afternoon shift
North Philadelphia