Climate crisis: Using mirrors in the fight against extreme heat

This March was the hottest on record, the tenth month of record heat in a row globally.

And as the temperatures around the world climb higher, developing nations are racing to think of new ways to adapt to the new reality of extreme weather.

For Mr Dynes, more affordable, scalable and effective solutions are needed to combat the ever-increasing threat of heat and extreme weather.

But using reflective surfaces as a method of passive cooling is far from a new idea.

This is a way to cool down homes without using mechanical means like air conditioning.

Mr Dynes told BBC News NI that “albedo, or reflective modification, has been used for many many years, hundreds if not thousands in fact.

“When you go to Greece or Spain or wherever, whole villages are usually painted white.

“This is the same idea.”

According to Mr Dynes, “the problem with using paints, especially in the tropics, is that it soils very quickly and very easily because of the humidity and dust”.

“What’s needed is something which is far more durable, lasts longer and is more effective.”

The project also aims to utilise reflective panelling in an agricultural setting to help reduce groundwater evaporation and protect against drought.

MEER’s next project is in India, a country many experts say is now recording more intense, frequent heatwaves that are also longer in duration.