The Smart Surfaces Coalition is committed to the rapid, cost-effective global adoption of Smart Surfaces to enable cities to thrive despite climate threats, save cities billions of dollars, decrease heat, reduce flood risk, slow global warming, and improve city livability, health, equity and jobs. Jobs and internships: https://smartsurfacescoalition.org/careers The Coalition is comprised of 40 leading NGOs from key sectors necessary to drive acceleration of urban smart surface adoption, including: architecture and design, city law and policy, downtowns, energy, equity/low-income, health, planning, urban data analytics. By providing the analytic tools, training, data, research, and support to influence city policies, the Smart Surfaces Coalition seeks to rapidly scale urban Smart Surface adoption globally. This is one of the few strategies available to cost-effectively reduce global CO2-equivalent emissions by 10%. Smart Surfaces include green, reflective, and porous surfaces, urban trees, and solar photovoltaics. By adopting Smart Surface policies, cities can cost-effectively lower emissions, cut peak summer temperatures, and reduce pollution while creating jobs and enhancing competitiveness. For more information on our work, please visit our website.
External link for Smart Surfaces Coalition
Washington, D.C. 20007, US
We take an intersectional approach to combat climate change with our 40 organizations. From public health to faith-based communities, architects to Environmental Justice organizations, we unite to support future generations & build a livable climate, one Smart Surface at a time. Learn more about our work at our website: https://lnkd.in/gDZxBEB6
🌍 Exciting News! 🌍 The Smart Surfaces Coalition has been featured in The Energy Mix in an article titled "Smart Surfaces Help Reduce Urban Climate Impacts, 40 Organizations Agree." This piece highlights the collective efforts of our coalition, backed by over 40 national and international organizations, including the American Lung Association, to reimagine and transform the very surfaces we live, drive, and walk on. The article dives into how Smart Surfaces—like cool roofs, permeable pavements, and urban greenery—are essential tools in our fight against climate change. These innovative surfaces not only help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands but also address critical issues like flooding, air pollution, and public health disparities. It’s a comprehensive look at how cities across the globe can adopt these climate-smart solutions to build more resilient and equitable communities. Our initiative, Cities for Smart Surfaces, is at the forefront of this movement, working with cities nationwide to secure the federal funding, policies, and data needed to implement these solutions. The piece also emphasizes the importance of focusing on underserved communities, where the impacts of climate change are often most severe. We’re on a mission to make Smart Surfaces the urban design standard globally within the next decade, and this article is a great step in spreading awareness. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/enUtVYW3 #SmartSurfaces #UrbanResilience #ClimateAction #PublicHealth
🌡️ As temperatures continue to rise, it’s crucial to understand the difference between #HeatExhaustion and #HeatStroke. Identifying the symptoms early can be life-saving. Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention whereas heat exhaustion requires immediate action to prevent heat stroke. 🛑 Take a moment to familiarize yourself with this informative graphic from the National Weather Service to learn more about the warning signs and how to respond effectively. #HeatSafety #PublicHealth #ExtremeHeat
Have you ever noticed how wearing a white T-shirt on a hot day keeps you cooler than a black one? The same principle applies to roofs! White roofs reflect more sunlight, while dark roofs absorb more heat. Choosing the right roof can make your buildings more comfortable and energy efficient. 🌞🏡 That's why it's important to #KeepYourCool with cool roofs and walls! Follow along with the Keep Your Cool educational campaign and its project organizers (Berkeley Lab, Cool Roof Rating Council, Arizona State University & more) to get resources and background information on how and why #CoolSurfaces work to beat the heat! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUhQnKaD
Cool surfaces are a "climate resilience game changer" according to the White House (https://lnkd.in/eA679FA2). Join us at #ClimateWeekNYC to learn more about them at Climate Resolve's panel, “Enlisting Sunlight in the Fight Against Climate Change!” 🌍 The event will dive into the benefits of cool surfaces for public health and climate change mitigation. You’ll hear from experts including scientists, policymakers, and community organizers, and can enjoy a networking reception following the panel. 🗓️ Date: Monday, September 23, 2024 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/em3VNBSd
🎙️ Smart Surface Spotlight: Permeable Pavements In cities, most pavements are impermeable, leading to surface water buildup, runoff, and increased flooding risks. But there’s a smarter alternative—permeable pavements. Why are permeable pavements a Smart Surface? 💧Stormwater Management: By reducing runoff and flooding, permeable pavements play a crucial role in managing stormwater, particularly during heavy rains. 🌿Environmental Impact: They support groundwater recharge and enhance ecosystem health. 🏙️Resilience: Permeable pavements help cities adapt to the challenges of a changing climate. By integrating permeable pavements into our infrastructure, we can pave the way to a more sustainable, resilient future. #SmartSurfaces #UrbanSustainability #ClimateResilience
🌡️ Webinar Alert: Extreme Urban Heat - Opportunities to Mitigate Risks in Cities 🌍 With last year being the hottest on record—and this year poised to surpass it—urban areas are feeling the heat more than ever. As cities look towards strategies to combat extreme heat, Smart Surfaces are key. Join our partner World Resources Institute for an in-depth conversation with city leaders and experts on how to cool down cities and protect vulnerable communities. 📅 Date: 13 Aug 2024 🕑 Time: 2:00 PM UTC 🎙️ Hosted by: WRI, in partnership with UrbanShift, UN Environment Programme Cities Unit, and the Cool Coalition Register Here: https://lnkd.in/gTj3i-SR Photo Credit: UrbanShift
Do you know the difference between an Excessive Heat Warning, Excessive Heat Watch, and a Heat Advisory? 🌡️🔥 Here’s a quick guide to help you stay informed and safe! Different regions have different thresholds, so always check local alerts: https://lnkd.in/grQPcjdf #HeatSafety #HeatWave #StayCool
🚀 The Keep Your Cool Education Campaign Has Officially Launched! 🚀 ❄ What is this campaign? Keep Your Cool is an educational campaign promoting the climate-appropriate use of cool roofs and walls as no-regret choices whose benefits will grow as the nation warms, providing easy-to-understand info on how these cool surfaces block unwanted solar heat, protecting homes, workplaces, and communities. ☀ 🌡 Why does it matter? As we face another summer of intense heat, it's crucial to find ways to keep cool in our homes and neighborhoods since extreme heat is the main weather-related cause of death in the United States. Supported by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Department of Energy, this campaign helps the public and those in the industry access valuable resources and understand the benefits of cool surfaces. 📚 📽 What’s included? With contributions from over 30 stakeholders, including roof and wall product manufacturers and industry associations, building professionals, utilities, government agencies, and non-profit environmental groups, as well as the Cool Roof Rating Council Education Committee, the campaign's website offers free educational content, social media-friendly messages, graphics, videos, fact sheets, guidelines, and case studies. Project history & actions: This campaign is just one part of the broader US Cool Surfaces Deployment Project, focused on providing technical assistance, educating various audiences, and designing high-profile demonstrations in disadvantaged communities. Its project staff include: Berkeley Lab, Cool Roof Rating Council, Smart Surfaces Coalition, Arizona State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 🌐 Check out the website now for information and resources, and stay tuned for more! https://lnkd.in/eUhQnKaD 📑 View the US Cool Surfaces Deployment Project here: https://lnkd.in/emgGmEbd #KeepYourCool #CoolSurfaces
Dale, owner of the 146 unit Green Rock Apartments complex, is on a mission to make Smart Surfaces the standard across his buildings. From switching to porous parking surfaces to installing reflective roofs, he’s proving that #SmartSurfaces make a ‘smart’ investment, for business and for the environment! By making his buildings more energy efficient, tenants have no electric bills. Solar panels, composting perks, and even eco-friendly laundry strips are just some of the other features tenants enjoy. 🌱 Read the full story from American Lung Association: https://lnkd.in/gqx4Nncw