By Logan A., grade 10
Could a simple paint job reduce some surface temperatures by up to 10°F? According to research from Berkeley labs and The United States Environmental Protection Agency, painting urban road-ways with light-colored coatings could reduce the heat absorbed by pavement, lowering surface temperatures by as much as 10°F. “Cool pavement” is an overarching term used for materials and technologies that aid in the reflection of heat rays off the ground. However, it’s worth noting that Berkeley Labs found cool pavement materials typically “require more energy and carbon to manufacture than conventional pavement materials.” While cool pavements offer immediate benefits in lowering temperatures and improving urban resilience, the additional energy costs associated with their production should be carefully considered when evaluating their environmental impact.
As more areas expand and urbanize, the concentration of roadways and asphalt increases, leading to greater heat absorption and causing surface temperatures to rise. This “urban heat island” effect can raise the surrounding air temperatures in cities by up to 5°F. The science behind cool pavement is relatively simple: lighter colors reflect more sunlight than traditional dark asphalt, which absorbs more than three times as much heat. By reducing the amount of heat absorbed during the day, cool pavement helps lower temperatures not only in the daytime but also at night, as less heat is re-released into the air.
Moreover, cool pavement has benefits for local ecosystems. By reducing ground temperatures, it can cool runoff water, improving the quality of nearby watersheds. Cool pavement has already been implemented in many cities across the US including Phoenix, San Antonio and Los Angeles, showing promising results in curbing urban heat..
While cool pavement alone won’t solve the climate crisis, it is certainly a step in the right direction towards cooling our cities, and eventually our planet.
*Image generated by A.I.
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