US Energy Secretary Steven Chu says making roads a paler colour(closer to white) and painting roofs white could have the equivalent effect of taking every car in the world off the road for 11 years,saving energy ,and less pollution.I What do you think?
by 
jin jang
ANSWERS: 6
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I also read about that. I have a difficult time believing it could make such a huge difference.
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Until I see the data used to justify such an assertion, it's impossible for me to have an opinion. Chu must present his evidence.
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The net energy cost to create, transport and apply the paint would cost the equivalent of putting 20M cars on the road for 10 years. The devil is always in the details :~)
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Without seeing the data, I would be skeptical that the effect would be that large.
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It isn't so far fetched .... We all know that white and light colors reflect heat .. like from the sun ... So it makes sense if the roofs are all painted white ; there would be cooler homes and less energy used to cool them down ..... Then; if the streets were lighter ; less heat would wear tires down less .... ? Sound about right ?
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Seems like something worth considering for a phased switch. Certainly, there would be a net loss of energy involved in addressing all existing construction. But we should look at new construction.
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