roofs

Top Tweets
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.
An NOAA truck with a weather satellite on the back.
Courtroom with a jury box and judge's bench.
Wind turbines in grass field during golden hour.
Newsletter
Reflective roofs combat extreme heat in Sierra Leone

Reflective roofs combat extreme heat in Sierra Leone

Reflective panels installed on homes in Freetown, Sierra Leone, are helping residents cope with extreme heat by reducing indoor temperatures by over 6°C.

Jake Wood reports for BBC.

In short:

  • Reflective roofs in Kroo Bay, Freetown, are mitigating extreme heat, making homes more livable.
  • Panels made from recycled materials reduce indoor temperatures and are more durable than traditional paints.
  • MEER’s project in Sierra Leone aims to expand to India to tackle similar heat challenges.

Key quote:

“People are effectively baking inside their own homes.”

— Peter Dynes, managing director of MEER

Why this matters:

Extreme heat increases health risks and reduces quality of life, especially in densely populated informal settlements. Innovative cooling solutions like reflective roofs can significantly improve living conditions in vulnerable regions.

Keep reading...Show less
building energy ac climate
Photo by Nidia Dias on Unsplash

Beyond AC: 7 ways architects are redesigning buildings for extreme heat

Air-conditioning isn't going away, but better-designed buildings can help avoid straining the grid so much that power goes out.
Newsletter
paris roof climate heat sink

Paris could hit 50 degrees by 2050, new report warns. How can the city adapt?

The French capital is known for its iconic architecture - but its beloved wide boulevards and zinc-top roofs act as a ‘heat sink’ in extreme weather.

Top Story
rooftop solar panels

California reduces subsidies for homes with rooftop solar

The decision, which would reduce the incentive for homeowners to install solar panels, could influence other states to make similar changes.
California regulators propose cutting compensation for rooftop solar
Photo by Raze Solar on Unsplash

California regulators propose cutting compensation for rooftop solar

It’s the second attempt by the state Public Utilities Commission to change how people are paid for the excess energy their solar panels send to the grid.
Interested in solar panels? Here is some advice

Interested in solar panels? Here is some advice

Buying a solar energy system can be expensive and confusing. Here are some things to think about if you are in the market for solar panels.
green warehouses climate

Amid soaring demand for warehouses, an effort to make them greener

Some warehouse owners are taking steps to make their buildings more energy efficient, including upgrading building materials and turning the rooftops into solar farms.

ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE