Interesting new research demonstrates that simple changes to our way of living can have a major impact on climate change.

One of the most surprising suggestions includes ‘white roofs’ for areas known to be in warmer climates!  Imagine a simple switch from dark to light roofs that could actually affect the temperature of major cities and help to reduce our individual impact on global warming!  This change might increase our use of sunglasses though with the increased glare factor, but definitely worth it! 

This new study by ‘The National Center for Atmospheric Research’ found that by painting roofs white, especially in dense cities, this shift alone would actually offset the impact of the emissions of the world’s cars! It would also have an affect on the actual buildings energy consummation.  By reducing the heat of the roof it reduces the temperature of the overall building. Imagine that. This is a huge finding and definitely supports this new process of switching from dark to light rooflines.

“Our study shows that white roofs are effective at reducing heat islands and decreasing daytime temperature…The effect is probably more effective for warmer regions, as you save on air conditioning.”—ncar.ucar.edu

The full study is set to appear in the Geophysical Research Letters later this winter.

The concept even applies to your home roofline by using light color roofs it can help to reflect sunlight, rather than absorb it. Much like when you wear ‘light’ colors during hot days to avoid the heat.  It’s like eco-fashion applied to building architecture!

Though, another eco-tip would be to incorporate solar paneling to the roof to use the sun’s energy to take you off the grid and allow you to be sustained all on green energy. 

Perhaps, planting your own ‘home garden’ or more trees in your landscape. Both allow for you to connect back to mother earth and help the planet. By eating healthy right from your garden you’re able to support homegrown food and eat organic on a budget!  Not to mention, trees are essential to our air quality.

So whether you’re interested in painting your roof a lighter color or making some small shifts in your garden! We welcome you to consider what it would mean to live in a white-roofed urban city! This just might be up and coming trend of eco-building!

Green.Life.LUX.