White Roofs Slow Global Warming

on May 31, 2009 at 8:27 AM

This week President Obama's Energy Secretary, Professor Steven Chu, suggested painting roofs white in an effort to slow global warming.

As the article in the Telegraph states, white roofs (and other pale surfaces like concrete) would deflect the sun's rays "rather than allowing it to be absorbed by dark surfaces where it is trapped by greenhouse gases and increases temperature." Ultimately, by painting our roofs white, we would save on energy and air conditioning costs.

What do you think?

Would you paint your roof white if it meant slowing global warming?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: going green, outdoors, thrifty solutions

Comments (18)

ladysylpher

on May 31, 2009 at 9:40 AM

I read about this somewhere else online, I think its wonderful. I totally would if I could, but I live in a trailer and I think the roof is tin, which is reflective anyway. But when we buy a house, its going to be the most eco green house we can do!! :) Thanks for sharing.

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mommyheymommy

on May 31, 2009 at 10:48 AM

I don't know. I can't help but chuckle.

tyme4me2day

on May 31, 2009 at 10:54 AM

No way... My roof has shingles.....painting it not only would ruin my shingles, but also bring down my property value as well as paint is a costly project. This is America and I don't see us painting our roof tops with a white wash....

eeyoreplus4

on May 31, 2009 at 12:33 PM

I just had my roof redone 2 years ago. It's staying the way it is unless someone else wants to pay to reshingle it white white shingles (not painted). LOL

shannon.kay

on May 31, 2009 at 2:48 PM

I could see how the roof being white might keep your house cooler, but I refuse to propogate this ridicules global warming myth.

codysmama2609

on May 31, 2009 at 3:49 PM

would it be glaringly bright to people overhead in planes and such?

is it a gloss finish? lol i could just see it now! can you imagine

tgiamt

on May 31, 2009 at 5:52 PM

This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Some people have too much time on their hands, seriously.

on May 31, 2009 at 5:53 PM

Oh and, yes it might save you a few buck on your air conditioning costs. But what about your winter heating costs?

NotVeryClever

on May 31, 2009 at 6:33 PM

Uh... well I already live in a concrete building with a white roof. Trust me it definitely helps with energy costs. All of the buildings in PR are made like that, no one has shingles here because it jacks up your energy bills so much.

I don't understand how this is a ridiculous idea. It's really not that radical. Some of you need to leave the house a little more often.

LuminousMom

on May 31, 2009 at 7:34 PM

Tgiamt... its not just about that. It slows global warming for the WHOLE WORLD. This isnt a new idea, and we DONT have time on our hands or on our sides. Global warming is happening, what in the world is so wrong with trying to slow it?

White surfaces reflect those sunrays and heat back up into the atmosphere.. Black surfaces absorb and trap heat. Ever stood in the middle of a hot asphalt parking lot in July? Thatswhat we're talking about. Globally, roofs account for about 25% of the surface of most cities, and pavement accounts for about 35%. If the 100 largest cities in the world replaced their dark roofs with white shingles and their asphalt-based roads with concrete or other light-colored material, it could offset 44 metric gigatons (billion tons) of greenhouse gases. The strategy could also offset the growth in carbon dioxide emissions, which account for about 75% of greenhouse gases, for the next 10 years.

Why is it people always deem the simplest and easiest solutions the most ridiculous?