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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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6

Energy Chief: Paint World White to Stop Warming

Chu calls for 'new revolution' to combat climate change

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(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.

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu called for concerted global action to tackle climate change at a conference in London yesterday.
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.
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.
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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6 comments
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serfinWI
May 27, 09 10:00 AM CDT
Why don't we just tear down all those big, heat absorbing, traffic jammed, concrete covered cities. Go back to horse and buggy green, environmentally friendly country life. Reply
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AnnieChrist
May 27, 09 5:20 PM CDT
You mean go back to the 19th century way of life that the repubs want to lead us to?
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0
Derni
May 27, 09 10:16 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... Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Yourself
May 27, 09 10:27 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.
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SPH
May 27, 09 10:32 AM CDT
I've got to believe having living plants on those roofs would have greater benefits...... Reply
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