Study: Cool Roofs Could Save Lives in London

A recent study by researchers at University College London and the University of Exeter reveals that implementing 'cool roofs' in London could have saved as many as 249 lives during the record-setting summer of 2018. The analysis showed that reflective roofs would have lowered average temperatures by approximately 0.8°C, which could have prevented around a third of the 786 heat-related deaths recorded that summer. Additionally, if all rooftops were covered with solar photovoltaic panels, another 96 deaths could have been avoided, with a temperature reduction of 0.3°C. The economic impact of these lives saved could have been substantial, with an estimated reduction in the city's economic burden of £615 million from cool roofs and £237 million from solar panels. The study highlights the potential benefits of adopting such cooling technologies to combat the urban heat island effect and improve public health.