ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME HEAT – THE REFLECT STUDY

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected that a warming climate will lead to more frequent and severe extreme heat events in all regions of the world, placing many at risk of heat-related illness and death. Globally, millions of dwellings are constructed with low-cost materials, such as corrugated metal sheets. Rising temperatures and poor housing conditions risks exposing inhabitants to dangerously high indoor air temperatures.

The REFLECT study aims to identify whether cool roof technology can be an effective, low-cost, mass-adoptable, passive cooling intervention for high indoor air temperatures in communities affected by extreme heat. The study investigates the impact of cool roof materials on health, environmental and economic outcomes in Hermosillo, Mexico; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Ahmedabad, India; and Niue, Oceania.

Understanding the impact of cool roof technology in globally diverse communities will support decision makers in investing in effective climate change adaptation measures.

 

Project Leads

Aditi Bunker

Collin Tukuitonga

 

Team Members

Till Bärnighausen

Aaron Bernstein

Chris Bullen

Noah Bunkley

Jose Guillermo (Memo) Cedeño Laurent

Shakoor Hajat

Luke Harrington

Susan T. Jackson

Jose Hoyo Montaño

Dileep Mavalankar

Ali Sié

Abdramane Soura

Gaylene Tasmania

Abhiyant Tiwari

Juan Manuel Vargas-Lopez 

Alistair Woodward