What's the problem with our cities?

Most cities have a greater abundance of dark surfaces and roofs, making urban areas retain larger amounts of heat than surrounding rural areas. This phenomenon is called Urban Heat Island (UHI).

Because dark roofs have low albedo and retain more heat, city residences tend to use more energy to cool their homes. On a hot summer day, a dark roof could reach temperatures up to 185°F*.

 

What this means

For You. The higher temperature means increased energy consumptions for cooling and higher electricity bill.

For Everyone. Increase in energy usage releases more greenhouse gases by burning more fossil fuels.

For the Future. With the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, studies show that by 2100, a hot summer day would reach temperatures of roughly 137°F**!

 

So what do we do?

See our solution.

* Wong, Hogan, Rosenberg, & Denny [2009]. Reducing Urban Heating Islands: Cool Roofs. US EPA.

** Meehl, Washington, Collins, Arblaster, Hu, Buja, Strand, & Teng [2005]. How Much More Global Warming and Sea Level Rise? Science, Volume 307.