A southern city is resorting to an innovative but remarkably simple solution for excessive summer heat: cold ceilings.
The Grist reports that Atlanta has recently approved legislation that requires all new roofs to be more reflective. The changes will not be immediate; Existing ceilings still do not have to paint white, but the new buildings and replacement ceilings are subject to the new law. The new roofs could cool the entire city in an average of 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 6.3 degrees in the hottest neighborhoods.
Another remarkable feature of the Cool Rofof Ordinance is the estimate of $ 315 million in savings of energy invoices that the city will carry out in the next 35 years. The new roofs will cost more than the traditional ones and can actually be cheaper, and will last longer because the roof will not suffer the same wear under the heat. Greg Kats, the founding CEO of the non -profit purpose Smart Surfaces Coalition, said:
“It is a super profitable way to make the city healthier, more competitive, reduce energy invoices and protect jobs.”
Urban heat is an important problem; The lack of vegetation and a strong concrete concentration create heat islands, which are particularly dangerous for the elderly and children. As the planet temperature increases due to human activity, heat waves are becoming longer and more mortal. The New York Times reported a study that found a 117% increase in heat -related deaths in the United States since 2000.
Atlanta’s adoption of the Cool Rof concept exceeds that of other cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. It is a great example of taking local measures and demonstrates the flexibility that local governments can have to address climatic problems. As the author of the bill, the City Councilor, Liliana Bakhtiari, explained in a press release:
“This legislation is not just about ceilings; it is resilience. It is about protecting health, reducing energy loads and defending communities that have been overlooked for too long. Atlanta is not only talking about climatic justice; we are delivering it.”
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(Tagstotranslate) Cold roofs