The characteristic gray-blue metallic roofs dot the giant Paris. But they have consequences for the city’s inhabitants.
Eighty percent of the roofs in the city of Paris are covered in zinc — a light, malleable material — and many date back to the 19th century. Due to their difficulty in preserving and symbolism, UNESCO included them as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The 5,000 to 6,000 zinc roof builders in the French capital take pride in their work. It takes up to 840 hours of courses and training to become proficient in the profession, which faces a labor shortage
But now these typical, aesthetic roofs may be about to go. The culprit? The Man. More specifically, climate change.
According to , a zinc roof can last 50 to 60 yearsbut some that are particularly well built, like that of the Petit Palais, do not need to be replaced for more than a century.
Only now climate change has made the French capital hotter, and these roofs get very hot at high temperatures. Life for those who live there becomes unbearably unpleasant.
Now, there are even companies installing green areas on the terraces of these homes, to make them more airy and livable. Will these traditional roofs survive the (climacteric) weather?
