According to the findings of a study, rooftops in large cities that are green and white in color can help inhibit heat buildup in urban areas—a phenomenon that is known as the heat island effect.
While white reflects sunlight, thus reducing heat, green rooftops with plants on them could help reverse the impact of global warming. A team of researchers working at the Global Institute of Sustainability at the Arizona State University (ASU) have recorded these findings.
Matei Georgescu, lead author and assistant professor at the ASU said that the using green hybrid roofs that are cool can not only help offset urban expansion, but they can also potentially offset the chances of additional warming.
Until now, the results of having green rooftops weren’t well researched even though this concept is being largely promoted by the federal government. However, this study could change that as specific indications of the benefits of having white and green rooftops are emerging. Scientists working on this project say that the results that have emerged leave little doubt about the fact that such rooftops could indeed help combat global warming.
Interestingly, other scientists have concurred with this published research as well. In the opinion of Mark Jacobson who works at the Stanford University as an environmental engineering professor, this research is a step in the right direction. He also says that it is consistent with other studies that indicate the ability of cool roofs to mitigate the impact of heat islands in urban areas.
The findings of this study could prove to be of immense importance in the design of urban systems that incorporate more green rooftops. Cities typically have a large amount of surfaces that are colored in black—thus absorbing heat instead of reflecting it. This makes cities warmer than other areas that surround them.
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