Freetown: Cooling a City
Freetown, Sierra Leone suffers from rising temperatures, with many residents unable to afford cooling. MEER (Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing) is pioneering the use of passive cooling materials that lower indoor temperatures by 13°F. MEER Founder, Dr. Tao, and local university graduates aim to expand, to improve more residents’ lives!
Freetown, Sierra Leone suffers from rising temperatures, with many residents unable to afford cooling. MEER (Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing) is pioneering the use of passive cooling materials that lower indoor temperatures by 13°F. MEER Founder, Dr. Tao, and local university graduates aim to expand, to improve more residents’ lives!
Freetown, Sierra Leone faces significant challenges due to rising temperatures and a large impoverished population unable to afford cooling. In response, the city has appointed Eugenia Kargbo as Africa's first Chief Heat Officer to raise awareness and develop heat mitigation strategies. Collaborating with MEER (Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing), founded by Dr. Ye Tao, Freetown is pioneering the use of passive cooling materials to create mirrors that reflect sunlight and reduce local temperatures. A team of recent graduates from Freetown's university implemented this technology in Kroo Bay, lowering indoor temperatures by 5-7℃ (9-13°F) and significantly improving residents' quality of life. The documentary highlights the transformative impact on a local family and plans for broader implementation to help more residents.