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Keeping Cool

The Challenge

All areas of our region are projected to get warmer as a result of climate change. In addition to the human health consequences of extreme heat, residents will soon find they are paying more just to keep themselves cool and comfortable.

Solutions

Despite a certain rise in temperatures, we can take actions to fight climate change while also making life better for Angelenos. We can keep temperatures down on extreme heat days with cool surfaces and green spaces, as well as efforts to increase clean energy and energy efficiency. These actions to curb the heat island effect will make us more resilient and comfortable.

CURRENT PROJECTS
Community members gathered around a table reviewing a large map of candidate streets for a cool pavement project while a facilitator explains details indoors.

Cooling South LA: Climate Action from the Ground Up

As a key partner in the South LA Eco-Lab, Climate Resolve is spearheading the installation of cool pavement across 15 lane miles—roughly 40 blocks—to reduce urban heat, promote walkability, and lead community education on climate-smart infrastructure.

Aerial view of a Los Angeles school campus featuring a running track, basketball courts, playground areas, and surrounding residential neighborhood streets.

Shine On Initiative

Climate Resolve launched our Shine On initiative to bring together a coalition of partners under the Sol Collaborative to drive the adoption of cool surfaces (cool roofs, walls, and pavement) as an essential strategy in combating global climate change.

Group of community members holding paint rollers and tools on a brightly coated playground surface in Pacoima, representing cool surfaces and neighborhood climate action

Cool Surfaces in Pacoima

Climate Resolve, Global Cool Cities Alliance and GAF have partnered with Pacoima Beautiful, Urban Semillas, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, StreetsLA, LA Department of Recreation & Parks, and the Los Angeles Unified School District to launch the GAF Cool Community Project-Pacoima.

Workers installing solar panels on a rooftop, demonstrating clean energy integration with cool roof strategies to reduce heat and emissions

Cool Roofs

We have partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Grid Alternatives on this program to bring high-tech clean energy solutions to communities traditionally left out of the green energy economy.

Climate Resolve cool surface pavement installation

Cool Streets

In working to help improve the climate resilience of Los Angeles with easy, common-sense policies to better our city, we launched a “Cool Roofs” campaign in 2012.

View of a Los Angeles neighborhood street with downtown skyline in the background, representing urban cooling efforts and climate resilience initiatives

Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative

Climate Resolve is a partner in the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative, a multi-disciplinary, national partnership of universities.

Staircase and urban walkway lined with trees and greenery in a city setting, representing urban greening and cooling strategies for climate resilience

Urban Greening

Climate Resolve is committed to urban greening, which is a key part of reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and cooling the city.

California State Capitol building with palm trees in the foreground, representing policy leadership and progress on climate legislation

Winning Climate Legislation

Climate Resolve works to help improve the climate resilience of Los Angeles with easy, common-sense policies to better our city.

PAST PROJECTS
Worker applying cool pavement coating to a residential street using a spray truck, creating a lighter surface to reduce heat and improve urban climate resilience

Reflecting Sunlight: Albedo as a Means to Reduce the Greenhouse Effect

To raise greater awareness of the radiative forcing benefits of cool surfaces, and the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) quantification thereof, Climate Resolve hosted a virtual panel discussion with renowned experts.

Illustration of an urban cooling street design on Wyandotte featuring shaded seating areas, trees, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly spaces to reduce heat and improve public space

Complete Streets in Canoga Park

Climate Resolve has worked with the community of Canoga Park on implementing new street designs they would like to see around the Metro Orange Line Station at Sherman Way.

Farm workers using tools in a crop field, representing sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food production systems

Workers Confront Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke in California

Climate Resolve is pleased to publish Exhausted! Workers Confront Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke in California, an in-depth report on how climate change is impacting workers in the Golden State.

Cool Pavements and the Urban Heat Island Effect

The term cool pavements currently refers to paving materials that reflect more solar energy, enhance water evaporation, or have been otherwise modified to remain cooler than conventional pavements.