Around Town

Urban Cool; NYC's White Roof Painting Program

Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010

Most of the 1 billion+ square feet of roof surfaces in NYC is made of black tar paper. In hot summer months these black roofs will heat up to over 200 degrees. Buildings absorb most of this heat and slowly release it over night, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Roofs coated with highly reflective white paints reduce roof temperatures by 60 - 80 degrees. Columbia University researchers discovered a cool roof can reduce air-conditioning costs by 50% in a one-story building and 25% in a two-story building. Hear about options to support this program by volunteering to paint roofs, getting your building's roof painted white, and finding nonprofit groups willing to paint their roofs with deeply discounted paint donated by the City. Refreshments will be provided. Meet other Sierra Club members.

Sponsor: Sierra Club

Speaker: John Kolp, Sierra Club NYC Cool Roof Program coordinator

Date: Tuesday August 3, 6:30 - 8 PM

Location: Sierra Club Office, 1350 Broadway@Herald Square, Suite 201