The University of Auckland’s REFLECT project is tackling the health impacts of extreme heat by testing reflective white roof coatings across Niue, Mexico, India, and Burkina Faso. Climate change has pushed temperatures to extremes that can be harmful for people’s health in these nations and many others around the world, says Dr Noah Bunkley from the University’s Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and Global Health. The project aims to assess whether these “cool roofs” can reduce heat-related illnesses and improve wellbeing in vulnerable communities, offering a scalable, low-cost climate adaptation solution.
