Remember the Purdue University research two years ago? We talked about it here. In 2021 the team of prof. Xiaobo Chen has developed the most reflective white paint in the world, capable of repelling more than 98% of the incident solar radiation. Applied on buildings and urban surfaces, this paint allows you to significantly lower their temperature.
Well: according to the estimates of a researcher at the University of California, Jeremy Munday, if used on a planetary scale this paint could have surprising effects in the fight against global warming.
A coat of white against climate change
By covering 1-2% of the Earth's surface with Purdue reflective paint, Munday says, it would be possible to stabilize the planet's climate, reflecting back into space enough solar radiation to balance the excess heat absorbed by the Earth.
The impact on cosmic enlightenment would be negligible, comparable to “pouring a cup of water into the ocean,” according to Munday. This theory is an old dot of his: he reproposes it periodically, and certainly has good theoretical foundations. But in practice? It is feasible?
Colossal logistical challenge
1-2% of the Earth's surface is equivalent to 2-4 million km2, roughly the size of the United States. Considering the performance of this substance developed by Purdue University, to "paint" such a large area would require between 527 billion and 1.054 billion liters of reflective white paint.
And I haven't mentioned (indeed yes: I'm doing it now) periodic maintenance, which would require perpetual efforts.
The paint works well, but an integrated approach is needed
Although very promising, super paint alone cannot solve the problem of global warming. In the meantime, we should adopt it on all possible roofs: but then radical 360° changes are needed, from energy production to transport, from industry to agriculture, to cut emissions at the source. And large-scale technologies for remove CO2 excess from the atmosphere.
In conclusion, research on ultra-reflective paints is important, but must be integrated into a broader strategy against climate change.
We need to act quickly and on several fronts: a brush is not enough to guarantee a future for the planet.
