Cool Buildings

Introduction

As the use of cement grows around the world, and seasonal temperatures continue to rise, a growing number of places (particularly cities with heat island effect) absorb the sun's radiation during the day then release that heat back into the atmosphere at night. This can make nights unbearably hot for residents, contributes to the use of A/C systems which actually increase outside temperatures while releasing dangerous emissions (in addition to the emissions created to power these devices). There's also the "wet bulb" issue where humid places are becoming so warm, that even sweating or using water spray for evaporation is no longer effective in cooling people.


Not everyone has the luxury to design or modify the places they live in. A growing number don't even have homes so I've divided the sections below to help pinpoint effective ways to stay cool with regards to building designs or upgrades, traveling in heat, as well as how to keep food from spoiling.

Homes & Buildings

Exterior & Design (General Concepts)

How This Desert City Stays Cool With An Ancient Air Conditioning System 

4:17 minute video about ancient passive cooling design.

The Ancient Method Cooling One of Europe’s Hottest Cities

This 7:07 minute video walks through the new twists on ancient designs, including water cooling systems for the solar panels.

Patios & Balconies

Much like gardens, these can provide a little buffer zone to work with and create a cooler microclimate before heat even hits the building or windows.

Note: If you compost on the balcony, make sure to keep it watered and in shade to keep the healthy bacteria thriving.

Roofing

***Bonus: Intermingling solar and green roofs installations cools the roof enough to make the panels produce electricity more efficiently!

Walls

External Wall Insulation Installation Guide

4:19 minute video by The Green Age

Windows

Landscaping

Traveling Outside

Paper Fans

The video shows how to make a paper fan with some disposable knives, and some sticky-backed paper. You could also use used popsicle sticks.

The instructions beneath show the use of glitter, but in recent years glitter has been found to be a major source of microplastic pollution, which is particularly hard to clean from the environment. If you must use glitter, try to find more eco-friendly alternative such as metals based glitters, instead of plastic. Simple paints would probably be better.

Upcycled Fabric Fans

The video below shows how to use scraps of fabric and trim, with a simple dowel (you could cut a broken broom or shovel handle perhaps) to create a simple, but decorative fan.

DIY A/C

These only work if you have access to cool water or ice, and a reliable source of electricity. If you live in a place with unreliable energy, a small solar panel hung in a window could help during daylight. Clay seems to be the most eco-friendly, readily available, and efficient material, but needs a kiln before it can be used. One redditor also suggested using a solar generator to run some fans.

Tips for Keeping Cool/Avoiding Heatstroke

Activities

Sleeping

Community Level Interventions

How America’s Hottest City is Innovating to Survive a 10:51 minute video

This video discusses the benefits for trees, parks, and lawns in hot communities, and how richer neighborhoods tend to have these resources, which immunizes them better against heatwaves than poorer neighborhoods. 

They also discuss the benefits of cool pavements and community cooling centers.

Cooling Centers

If your community doesn't already have a cooling center, pressuring your local government to open one may help save many lives. Here is a PDF on Use Of Cooling Centers offered by the CDC.

Africa

South Africa

North America

Canada

USA

Texas

Oceana

Australia

Organizations & Programs

North America

USA

Oceana

Australia

NSW

Grants & Funding

Asia

North America

USA

Oceana

Australia

NSW