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Energy Chief: Paint World White to Stop Warming

Chu calls for 'new revolution' to combat climate change

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 2:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – A colossal coat of paint could do as much to slow global warming as removing all cars from the Earth for 11 years, Energy Secretary Steven Chu told a climate change conference yesterday. Chu said painting roofs white and making roads a lighter color—which would reflect heat and reduce energy use—is one of many measures needed to usher in a "new revolution" in energy use, reports the Times of London.

"The industrial revolution was a revolution in the use of energy," Chu said. "We have to go to a different revolution that can severely decrease the amount of carbon emissions in the generation of energy." New regulations should require that all flat-top roofs be painted white, as California has legislated, Chu said.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu called for concerted global action to tackle climate change at a conference in London yesterday. (AP Photo/Sandro Pace)

White roofs, as in this Greek village, reflect far more heat than darker-colored ones. (Shutter Stock)

Painting roofs white and making roads a lighter color would reflect heat and save on energy use, said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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There’s a friend of mine who’s pushing very hard for a geo-engineering we all believe will be completely benign, and that’s when you have a flat-top roof building, make
it white. - Energy Secretary Steven Chu

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

AnnieChrist

May 27, 2009 10:20 AM CDT

You mean go back to the 19th century way of life that the repubs want to lead us to?

Yourself

May 27, 2009 3:27 AM CDT

can you find some info on those tiles? maybe a link? i did a quick google search and didn't find anything and would like to see that though.. seems like a somewhat interesting concept.

Derni

May 27, 2009 3:16 AM CDT

Years a go a teenager developed roof tiles that change to a lighter color depending on the season and the angle of the sun-this was to save on heat absorption and also encourage reflecrion of the sun in the summer. The tiles absorbed heat in the winter-yes using white would definitely help-will we tolerate it -see that the use of white is essential for the future? We will see...

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climate change • global warming • paint • roofing • carbon emissions • energy secretary • Steven Chu

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Energy Chief: Paint World White to Stop Warming