The city of Dallas has joined a coalition of cities that are seeking ways to combat the effects of climate change. According to a release, Mayor Eric Johnson has joined four other mayors in partnership with the Smart Surfaces Coalition (SSC) on a multiyear project to cool cities and metropolitan areas.

SSC is a nonprofit that promotes "Smart Surfaces," which are an alternative to the dark, impervious surfaces like asphalt that raise the temperature in urban areas. Smart Surfaces include things like reflective roofs and pavements, green roofs, solar energy, porous pavements, rain gardens, and trees.

Cities have historically invested in dark, impervious surfaces, creating the Urban Heat Island effect, which occurs when darkly-paved roads, car parks, and dark roofs absorb solar radiation and release it back as heat, instead of reflecting it back into the atmosphere, along with waste heat from buildings. It can lead to temperature differences between urban and rural areas of as much as 6-12 degrees C, particularly at night.

As the planet gets hotter, people turn to air conditioning, but AC only makes the problem worse. By 2050, the number of air conditioners globally is projected to grow from 1.6 billion to 5.6 billion. The increased demand for energy will only create more emissions. Which will only make the planet hotter. More AC, etcetera etcetera etcetera, creating a giant loop with, how do you say, an unpleasant ending.

Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Columbia (South Carolina), Dallas, and New Orleans have now all signed up for the Cities for Smart Surfaces program, recognizing that Smart Surfaces can mitigate climate change.

Smart Surfaces Coalition founder and CEO Greg Kats says in a statement that these techniques can be deployed immediately.

“This July 4 was the hottest day on Earth in recorded history," Kats says. "City residents worry and need city leaders to understand which surfaces can deliver cooler, healthier neighborhoods, save money and be implemented immediately. When cities embrace Smart Surfaces — from rooftops to roads — residents win."

Mayor Johnson also sees Smart Surfaces as a win for Dallas residents.

"Leveraging this intelligent and cost-effective technology will cool our neighborhoods during hot Texas summers, reduce residents’ energy expenses and minimize the impact of flash flooding events," Johnson says.

Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability Director Carlos Evans chimes in: "Dallas will continue to experience extreme heat events, so it’s imperative we do all we can to find achievable ways to cool our city."