Countering climate change with cool pavements

Post by BurningFrog » Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 11:19 PM UTC

puffyvolvo wrote: post #16

clairity wrote: post #3

> “Conversely, by reflecting light — called incident radiation — onto nearby buildings, cool pavements can warm structures up, which can increase AC usage in the summer and lower heating demand in the winter.” this is one of the reasons why i'm an advocate for street trees, and urban foliage in general (cuts down both incident and reflective radiation), and why i'm maddened when i see urban trees cut down or cut back…

While I initially would prefer the idea of more street trees the nagging voice in the back of my head continues to worry about unintended consequences. A big one regarding more trees is more maintenance, you've already pointed out how terrible maintenance can be, and lawns alone are an incredible example of just how inefficient we handle plants in the name of some arbitrary aesthetic, tons of water wasted, many hours…

Post by dylan604 » Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 11:24 PM UTC

_ofdw wrote: post #6

This totally nerd-sniped[0] me, and now I'm going down the rabbit hole wondering if there's a business opportunity for generating electricity via the thermoelectric effect[1] and thus literally cooling the pavement by pulling some energy out and putting it to good use. [0] https://xkcd.com/356/ [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_generator

Post by clairity » Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 11:25 PM UTC

harmmonica wrote: post #13

clairity wrote: post #3

> “Conversely, by reflecting light — called incident radiation — onto nearby buildings, cool pavements can warm structures up, which can increase AC usage in the summer and lower heating demand in the winter.” this is one of the reasons why i'm an advocate for street trees, and urban foliage in general (cuts down both incident and reflective radiation), and why i'm maddened when i see urban trees cut down or cut back…

from one LA resident to another, amen to that. we were just walking down our street this morning and discussing, for the umpteenth time, whether our neighbors would actually be willing to take care of trees if we went out and bought them and planted them. the problem, as other commenters have pointed out, is that they do require upkeep, but since they're living/breathing things the more hardy ones can really be abuse…

Post by clairity » Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 11:41 PM UTC

BurningFrog wrote: post #21

puffyvolvo wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I initially would prefer the idea of more street trees the nagging voice in the back of my head continues to worry about unintended consequences. A big one regarding more trees is more maintenance, you've already pointed out how terrible maintenance can be, and lawns alone are an incredible example of just how inefficient we handle plants in the name of some arbitrary aesthetic, tons of water wasted, many hours…

One logical answer is "Artificial trees". That is, constructed shade structures that provides shade without being unpredictable living things. There are probably real problems with that approach too. What are they?

Post by na85 » Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 11:48 PM UTC

aaaaaaaaaaab wrote: post #15

_ofdw wrote: post #6

This totally nerd-sniped[0] me, and now I'm going down the rabbit hole wondering if there's a business opportunity for generating electricity via the thermoelectric effect[1] and thus literally cooling the pavement by pulling some energy out and putting it to good use. [0] https://xkcd.com/356/ [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_generator

I’ll save you some time: absolutely not.