Cities Paint Roofs White to Fight Record Summer Heat

This summer has brought some of the hottest days on record in many parts of the world. In cities, the heat feels even worse. Roads, roofs, and concrete buildings soak up sunlight all day and release the heat at night. This effect is called the "urban heat island," and it makes cities much hotter than nearby rural areas.

To fight this problem, several cities are painting rooftops with white or light-colored coatings. These "cool roofs" reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. Studies show that a white roof can stay up to 30 degrees Celsius cooler than a dark roof on a hot day. That means less heat enters the building, and air conditioners do not have to work as hard.

In Los Angeles, New York, and several cities in India and Pakistan, local governments have already painted thousands of roofs. Officials say the method is cheap and can be done quickly. Some experts believe cool roofs could become a standard rule for new buildings, especially as summers keep getting hotter around the world.