Painting Roofs to Save the Earth

When it comes to mitigating climate change, simple ideas are usually best. They don't require an advanced understanding of meteorology and cost much less than other methods. Hopefully this idea from U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will take off.

The science is simple: if the surfaces which face the sun are white, they will reflect more solar energy back away from Earth. So why not paint every roof white?

Making roads and roofs a paler colour could have the equivalent effect of taking every car in the world off the road for 11 years, Chu said.

It was a geo-engineering scheme that was "completely benign" and would keep buildings cooler and reduce energy use from air conditioning, as well as reflecting sunlight back away from the Earth.