Cool Houston
Reducing energy consumption is one way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy cost and clean up the air. A new innovative project is bringing down the heat in Houston to conserve energy.
As rural areas become cities, roads, buildings and parking lots replace forest, prairie and grassy meadows. The concrete, glass and steel absorb and retain heat. As a result the whole city heats up. Houston's urban areas are 6 to 8 degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas. This is called the Urban Heat Island effect.
Cool Houston! is a program designed to reduce urban temperatures through use of cool technologies that include using reflective and green roofing. Lighter colored roofing materials reflect heat rather than absorb it.
Growing gardens on rooftops helps cool a building in summer and reduces water runoff during heavy rains.
Paving roads and parking lots with light colored or porous materials helps reduce temperatures in the city; and planting trees to provide a canopy of shade can help reduce the heat island effect.
Innovative programs, like Cool Houston!, to decrease reliance on fossil fuels are ugently needed. A cooler Houston that uses less energy can help cool the whole planet. Conserving energy and developing energy sources that are cleaner, cooler and renewable can improve the quality of life for all people.