Smart Surfaces Coalition’s Post

Did you know that artificial outdoor lighting in the U.S. results in 85 million tons of carbon emissions every year? 💡 And that’s just considering commercial and municipal lighting, excluding residential lighting. Having a hard time wrapping your head around that number? 😨 Picture a city with over 11 million homes, more than the total number of homes in Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles combined, all emitting CO₂ for a year.* On Monday, we had the honor of hosting Ken Walczak, Senior Manager of Far Horizons at the Adler Planetarium, as part of the 350 Chicago #SpeakerSeries, and learn about #LightPollution and its impacts on climate change, ecosystems, health, and economic and social justice. Thank you, Ken, for your time, knowledge, and passion, and for a truly insightful discussion filled with many surprising facts. To everyone who joined us, thank you for your participation and interesting questions. For those who missed the webinar, subscribe to the #350Chicago YouTube channel now and stay tuned for the recording, which we’ll upload in the coming weeks. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gBaZ-ANn Learn more about light pollution in Chicago here: https://lnkd.in/gAdPpMvd #ActOnClimate #DarkSky #ClimateChange *The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that the average U.S. residential home emits about 7.5 metric tons of CO₂ annually from energy use.

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 (link in the comments section) Climate warming is significantly increasing heat exposure, particularly in the Global South, where adaptation capacities are often limited. By analyzing data from around 500 major cities worldwide, researchers found that #urban green spaces play a crucial role in mitigating outdoor heat stress, yet there's a striking inequality: on average, cities in the Global South have only two-thirds of the cooling capacity of those in the Global North (2.5°C vs. 3.6°C). This #disparity is attributed to differences in both the quantity and quality of urban green spaces. Unfortunately, it means that those living in hotter, low-latitude areas, where extreme heat is most dangerous, benefit the least from green infrastructure. However, the study also points to a vast potential for improvement: by enhancing urban green spaces, cities could significantly boost their cooling capabilities and reduce these global inequalities. To tackle this challenge, we need policies that encourage the expansion of urban green areas, along with #innovative solutions like plant-covered buildings. Investing in green infrastructure is not just about enhancing aesthetic value—it’s a crucial step towards making cities more livable and equitable in the face of climate change. terraPulse provides satellite tree canopy monitoring, enabling comprehensive, data-driven management of urban greenery. Get in touch!

CITIES CLIMATE ACTION 2024 SUMMIT EMPHASISES URGENCY OF TRANSFORMING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT On 26 and 27 June, the SmartCitiesWorld Summit hosted the Cities Climate Action 2024 Summit, where urban leaders and experts gathered to debate crucial climate action strategies centred on transforming the built environment. With increasing urbanisation and climate change, the built environment has become vital for global sustainability. The summit highlighted themes such as urban renewal, smart buildings and sustainable lighting as essential pillars for reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and strengthening urban resilience. The renovation of existing buildings emerged as a priority, aiming to improve energy performance through efficient insulation, sustainable heating and cooling systems, and renewable energy technologies. At the same time, smart buildings, which use advanced technologies to adjust energy consumption and improve occupant comfort, were highlighted as key players in this transformation. Smart lighting was also emphasised as an essential component of sustainable urban infrastructure, promoting significant energy savings and improving the safety and liveability of cities. In addition to emerging technologies, the summit emphasised the need to integrate climate resilience measures into urban planning, protecting infrastructure and communities from the risks associated with climate change. With the right policies and incentives, cities can create a favourable environment for sustainable building practices, promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors and ensuring that climate initiatives are inclusive and responsive to local needs. more information at https://lnkd.in/gnFY9N7p #greentransition #staytuned #greencities #GreenMobility

🌆 Urban Heat Island Effect - Can you feel it yet? Measurements by the German Weather Service show that cities are already warmer than their surrounding areas. 📈 Heat records are being broken every month and the trend is increasing. The time to act is now! But how? 🚀 Possible solutions: 🌳 More green spaces 🌞 Reflective materials 🏙️ Good urban planning ♻️ Low emission technologies 🔍Where can you find good practice and current research on this topic? We have collected some tips 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiVPvWaV #UrbanHeatIsland #urbanclimate #climateresilience #sustainability #transformation #buildingthefuture #climateprotection fotocredit: Adrian Infernus

Embracing urban trees as a solution to combat heatwaves!🌳 With heatwaves becoming more frequent and cities worldwide experiencing record-breaking temperatures, it's time to explore simple yet powerful solutions. One such solution often overlooked? Urban trees. Beyond offering essential shade, trees play a crucial role in re-moisturizing the air around us, effectively creating a natural cooling system. Research underscores the impact: city streets adorned with trees can experience remarkable reductions in air temperature, up to a staggering 8°C, and land temperature decreases by as much as 12°C! Let's harness the potential of urban greenery to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures and build more resilient, sustainable cities for generations to come. 🌳💧 #UrbanTrees #ClimateAction #SustainableCities

Over the past few years, sponge city principles have revolutionized urban resilience against climate impacts. Here are 5 key strategies: 1. Permeable surfaces reduce urban flooding. 2. Green spaces enhance urban livability. 3. Efficient water storage boosts water management. 4. Eco-friendly technologies transform infertile lands. 5. Innovative materials promote sustainability. Discover how these strategies can make a difference. 🌳💧 #UrbanResilience #Sustainability #breathablesand #DakeRechsand

Year after year, average temperatures continue to break records globally 🌍🌡️ Cities, in particular, suffer from the Urban Heat Island effect, which amplifies the impacts of extreme heat. This phenomenon not only strains energy resources but also disproportionately affects low-income populations, undermines public health, reduces productivity, and degrades environmental quality, leading to severe economic consequences. So what can we do? To tackle extreme heat in urban areas, we can implement several strategies including (but not limited to): 🌳 Enhanced green infrastructure: Integrate more green spaces into conventional streets to reduce heat absorption. ⚒️ Building retrofits: Renovate buildings with better insulation, shades, and reflective materials such as white paint to reduce heat absorption. 📣 Formulation of policy and planning solutions: Integrating adaptation and mitigation actions has to be structurally integrated into the urban policy agenda. By adopting these measures, we can create cooler, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments. (Source: https://loom.ly/1TXi49w) #SDG11 #SDG13 #ClimateChange #SustainableCities #GreenInfrastructure #SmartCities

🌍 As global temperatures rise, our cities become dangerous hotspots, heating up at twice the global average rate. With over half of the world’s population living in urban areas and an additional 2.5 billion people expected by 2050, the stakes have never been higher. 🏗 Urban areas, with their dense buildings, congested spaces, and concentrated energy use, act like heat traps, intensifying the impact of rising temperatures. The challenges of extreme heat are real and growing, and they demand immediate action. 💚 It's time to focus on green, affordable housing solutions. By integrating sustainable design and energy-efficient technologies, we can create resilient urban environments that withstand extreme heat and protect the most vulnerable among us. Let's take bold steps to safeguard our cities and the future of our planet. #ClimateAction #SustainableCities #GreenHousing #Affordablehousing

🌍🌱 Redefining #urban landscapes for #ClimateResilience In an era of rapid urbanization and escalating climate threats, the urgency to cultivate climate-resilient #cities has never been greater. The recently published compendium by Observer Research Foundation, "Confronting the Climate Crisis: Pathways to Urban Resilience," serves as a timely reminder of our shared responsibility in shaping #sustainable urban futures. Key Highlights: 🏙️ Urban ecosystems: The need for a holistic approach integrating environment, social equity, and climate dynamics. 🌟 Innovative strategies: Insights on sustainable #infrastructure, #smarttechnology, and #greenenergy. 🚶♂️ Public transport: Prioritizing non-motorized, #publicTransportation options. 🤝 Community engagement: Emphasizing civil society's role in fostering #cohesive, nature-based solutions. This anthology not only illustrates the intricate challenges but also celebrates the power of collective action and innovative thinking in #urbanplanning. It's a call to action for policymakers, #urbanplanners, and citizens to participate in building cities that are not only resilient but also offer a harmonious, sustainable quality of life. 🔗 Read the article and get access to the full report: https://lnkd.in/dyWsveFY #ClimateChange #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #Innovation

The power of green infrastructure 🌳🏙️ The top image shows a stark, exposed streetscape reaching scorching temperatures of up to 50°C (122°F) 🔥 in contrast, the bottom image depicts a tree-lined avenue with temperatures ranging from 18-26°C (64-79°F) 😎 This visual comparison starkly illustrates the cooling effect of urban greenery. Trees and plants not only beautify our cities but also provide crucial ecosystem services: • Natural air conditioning 🌬️ • Improved air quality 💨 • Reduced urban heat island effect 🌡️↓ • Enhanced walkability and livability 🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♂️ As we face increasing climate challenges, how can we better integrate nature-based solutions into our urban planning and development? 🤔 HOPEFULLY we create more resilient, sustainable, and livable cities for all 🌍💚 #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GreenInfrastructure