Cooling

Trees (Our Urban Forest)

Trees are a low cost way of gaining many benefits in our cities and communities. The trees that make up our urban forest provide habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, filter polutants, sequester carbon, and beautiful our neighborhoods. Trees can reduce heat island in our urban environment by offering shade and evaporative cooling. The cooling and air cleaning effects of trees has a significant impact on air pollution. And trees can reduce stress! Even a view of trees through an apartment window can improve mental health.

Cool Pavement

“Cool” pavement refers to light-colored, reflective pavements that help lower surface temperatures and reduce the amount of heat absorbed into the pavement. Unlike traditional "hot" pavements—like asphalt and blacktop which absorb heat and release it later—cool pavements effectively cool the city air, reducing heat-related illnesses, slowing the formation of smog, and making it more comfortable to be outside. Pedestrians, city dwellers, park goers, and school children all benefit from cooler air and cooler pavements.

By some definitions, cool pavements can also include permeable pavements, which have cooling benefits from stormwater capture that impermeable pavements do not.

Green Roofs

While heat often radiates off of urban roofs, and storm water rushes over their impermeable surfaces, green roofs can be a more sustainable alternative.

A green roof (or living roof) is a roof of a building that is at least partially covered with vegetation. Green roofs can improve and reduce energy consumption. In addition, green roofs decrease the total amount of storm water runoff and slow the rate of runoff from the roof. They can become peaceful retreats for people and can a create natural habitat for wildlife.

The term 'green roof' may also refer to a roof that uses some form of green technology, such as a cool roof (which, like cool pavement, reflects heat) or a roof with photovoltaic panels.