Scientists from London have discovered an effective way to reduce urban temperatures by 2°C using special paint for roofs, which can significantly improve the climate in megacities.
Cooling cities
Innovative solutions to heat problems
A team of researchers from University College London has made an important discovery in the field of urban climate control. They found that using special reflective paint on roofs could significantly reduce temperatures in cities.
Effectiveness of white paint
Using white or reflective paint on building roofs can reduce the overall temperature of a city by 2°C. This will not only create more comfortable conditions for residents, but will also reduce the use of air conditioning, which, in turn, increases the temperature on the streets.
Climate modeling
To evaluate the effectiveness of various temperature control methods, scientists have developed a 3D climate model of London. The model was based on data from the two hottest days in the city's history. Researchers compared the effectiveness of painted cool roofs, green roofs, outdoor plantings, and air conditioners.
Comparison of cooling methods
The results showed that air conditioners increased the temperature in the city center by at least 1°C. Green roofs showed a variable effect: they reduced temperatures by 0.5°C during the day, but caused them to rise at night due to heat retention in the organic material. Deciduous trees helped cope with the heat at night, but increased humidity during the day.
Benefits of Cool Roofs
Cool roofs that reflect heat have proven to be the most effective. They not only balanced the temperature inside and outside the buildings, but also reduced it by 2°C in certain areas.
Study Conclusions
Oscar Bruce, lead author of the study, emphasized in a press release that cool roofs are the optimal solution for lowering the temperature on extremely hot summer days. While other methods have their advantages, none have been as effective at reducing urban heat in the streets.
Publication of results
The study was published in the scientific journal Geophysical Researcher Letters on July 4, providing valuable data for further study and application this method in urban planning.
Glossary
- University College London is one of the leading universities in the UK, located in central London .
- Geophysical Researcher Letters is a scientific journal publishing short but important articles on the latest advances in the earth and space sciences.
- Oscar Bruce is the lead author of a study on the effects of different cooling methods on urban climate.
- London is the capital of Great Britain, the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Europe.
- Cool roofs are roofs coated with special reflective paint to reduce heat absorption.
Links
Answers to questions
What is the method of cooling cities was found to be the most effective according to the study?
How has the effectiveness of different cooling methods been studied?
What shortcomings have been identified in other methods of cooling cities?
What are the benefits of using cool roofs?
Who conducted the study and where was it published?
Hashtags
Save a link to this article
Discussion of the topic – Cooling revolution: “Cool roofs” against urban heat
Researchers in London suggest using white or reflective paint on roofs to reduce temperatures in cities by 2℃ and reduce the need for air conditioning.
Latest comments
8 comments
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are checked *
Isabella
Wow, what an interesting idea! 🤔 I always thought that green roofs are the best solution for cities. But it turns out that white paint can be even more effective. I wonder how expensive this is to implement?
Dmitry
Isabella, yes, this is really impressive! I've heard that some companies already produce special paints for this purpose. For example, Rust-Oleum produces a line of roof paints that reflect up to 90% of the sun's rays. I think in the long run it may even be cost effective due to the savings on air conditioning.
Sophie
Guys, don’t you think that this can negatively affect birds and insects? 🐦🐝 After all, they are accustomed to a certain color of roofs. Although, on the other hand, reducing the temperature in the city can be beneficial for the entire ecosystem.
Hans
Sophie, interesting point! Maybe it's worth considering a combined approach? For example, part of the roof is white and part is green. This way we can reduce the temperature and preserve space for urban fauna. 🌿🏙️
Gerhard
Oh, these fashionable things again! Previously, we lived without any white roofs and nothing, we didn’t complain. They'll just waste money on this paint, and it won't do much good. It would be better if they planted more trees, they would provide shade and cleaner air.
Elena
Gerhard, I understand your skepticism, but let's look at the facts. Research shows that white roofs can reduce temperatures by 2°C - that's significant! And trees, by the way, were also considered in the study, and it turned out that they are less effective during the day. Maybe we should try combining different approaches? 🌳🏠
Pierre
Friends, let's think about practical application! 💡 In my hometown in France they have already started experimenting with white roofs on public buildings. The results are still preliminary, but there are already positive reviews from employees - they feel more comfortable working in the heat.
Isabella
Pierre, this is great! And we also have a similar experience in Spain - in Andalusia they traditionally whitewash houses to keep it cooler. Maybe we should take an example from our ancestors and adapt this idea for modern cities? It would be interesting to see how this would affect energy consumption citywide. 🏙️❄️