Too Hot? Your City Needs a New Coat of Paint

Heat is intensifying, thanks to climate change. A coalition of cities is pioneering a makeover for roads and rooftops that makes everything feel cooler.

(Photo courtesy of StreetsLA)

The National Weather Service tracks the number of “weather-related fatalities,” and over the last 30 years, heat has been the most deadly. Los Angeles is one city proving that painting streets in a reflective coating could make a difference. 

In this episode of the podcast, Next City Executive Director Lucas Grindley talks with Michaela Haas, a contributing editor with Reasons To Be Cheerful, about her story on “Cool Streets LA.” The program is expanding to 200 city blocks targeting eight underserved neighborhoods. We also meet the city leader charged with making it happen.

“If you ask people about climate change, they start talking to you about politics,” said Greg Spotts, Chief Sustainability Officer of the City’s Bureau of Street Services (Streets LA). “But if you ask them about the weather in their neighborhood or their comfort in their neighborhood, every single Angelino thinks their neighborhood is getting hotter very recently.”

Listen to this episode below or subscribe to Next City’s podcast on Apple and Spotify.

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