Extreme heat is the deadliest natural hazard in the United States, and its impact is felt most acutely in urban areas. Cities, where vast expanses of pavement absorb and retain heat, experience exacerbated temperatures, leading to severe health risks. To mitigate this, experts suggest the adoption of reflective pavements, which can significantly reduce local temperatures and alleviate the effects of extreme heat write Hessam Azarijafari, Ronnen Levinson and Andrew Laurent for The Hill.
Reflective pavements, characterized by their high albedo, reflect more sunlight compared to traditional pavements, which absorb heat. Surfaces with a high albedo stay cooler under the sun, similar to how light-colored sand at the beach feels cooler than dark asphalt. This reduction in surface temperature can decrease air temperatures in the surrounding area. For instance, a study by the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub found that increasing Houston’s pavement albedo by 0.20 could reduce maximum summer air temperatures by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially decreasing the frequency of heat waves by 59%.
Beyond individual comfort, the broader implementation of reflective pavements could have significant environmental benefits. Increasing the average albedo of pavements across the United States by 0.20 could yield a global warming impact reduction equivalent to removing 3.75 million cars from the roads for a year. This adjustment would reflect more solar energy back into space, addressing the positive radiative forcing that contributes to global warming. Furthermore, cities could enhance pavement reflectance by adding reflective coatings to asphalt or installing concrete pavements, which naturally have a higher albedo and require less maintenance.
While the upfront costs of implementing high-albedo pavements are notable, the long-term benefits for urban environments and public health are substantial. Reflective pavements can help lower the incidence of deadly heat waves and mitigate the effects of climate change. For cities looking to protect their residents, particularly vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat, adopting high-reflectance pavements is a crucial step. Federal and local officials must prioritize this solution to ensure the safety and well-being of urban populations as global temperatures continue to rise.
Read more here: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3621620-extreme-heat-kills-inequitably-reflective-pavements-can-help-but-city-action-is-required/