August 2026 Edition

The MEER Newsletter

The latest field research, partnerships and science from Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing — turning observation into evidence, and evidence into cooler communities.

Support our work Read this issue

Read time: 12 min

Cover

MEER's team preparing reflective canopy sheets for on-site installation.

Sierra Leone

— Editor's welcome

A month of turning observation
into evidence

This month we share updates from expanding climate-health work in Africa, new scientific alliances in China, and MEER India's contribution to the Land2Heat Symposium at FLAME University in Pune.

"As extreme heat continues to affect communities around the world, our work is focused on turning observation into evidence, and evidence into scalable interventions."

YTDr. Ye TaoFounder and Science Director, MEER

Feature stories

Field notes from a warming world

Condensed dispatches from our teams in Sierra Leone, Xi'an and Pune. Tap any card to open the full story in a new tab.

A message from the founder

Climate-health collaborations and the Second Symposium on Solar Radiation Modification

Dr. Ye Tao on the emerging Solthis partnership in Sierra Leone, meeting Prof. Benjamin Sovacool in Xi'an, and MEER's expanding scientific alliances in China.

By Dr. Ye Tao · EditorialRead the full letter →

Africa Update

Advancing climate-health research in Sierra Leone

A proposed collaboration with Solthis to demonstrate passive cooling in the new maternity ward at Tombo Community Health Centre — and study its impact on staff, mothers and newborns.

Sierra Leone · August 2026Read →

India Update

MEER team contributes to Urban Heat Symposium in Pune

Insights from the Land2Heat Symposium at FLAME University, where MEER joined a panel on peri-urban land change and the lived reality of extreme heat.

Pune · August 2026Read →

Inside the Sierra Leone project

A new partnership taking shape at Tombo Community Health Centre

In development · 2026

New partner

Solthis — international health NGO working across West Africa.

New project site

Tombo Community Health Centre maternity ward, Sierra Leone.

Research focus

Passive cooling and its impact on maternal & newborn health.

Dr. Barbara J. Sneath at the Aspen Ideas Climate event beside the Aspen Ideas Climate signage

DispatchAspen Ideas Climate · Chicago · July 20–22, 2026

MEER at Aspen Ideas Climate

Dr. Barbara J. Sneath, MEER's Director of Education, recently represented the organization at the Aspen Ideas Climate event, engaging with leading researchers, NGOs, policymakers and innovators to address some of the world's most pressing climate challenges.

Researchers

Climate & health science

NGOs

On-the-ground partners

Policymakers

Regulation & funding

Learn more about Aspen Ideas ClimateChicago · July 20–22, 2026

MEER supporters dressed in white at Reflection Party #9 fundraiser near San Francisco, California

CommunityCalifornia, USA · July 2026

MEER Supporters Celebrate Reflective Cooling at California Fundraiser

A heartfelt thank you to Jonathan and everyone who helped make the event such a success.

MEER extends its sincere thanks to Jonathan Cole and everyone who attended Reflection Party #9, a community-led fundraising event held near San Francisco in support of our work advancing surface reflection and passive cooling solutions.

The event brought together supporters passionate about innovative climate action. Guests embraced the reflective cooling theme, enjoyed an evening of entertainment, and learned more about MEER's research and projects around the world through presentations showcasing our work.

Community-led events like these are invaluable in helping us expand research and deliver practical cooling solutions to vulnerable communities facing increasing heat risks.

Science spotlight

White roofs, confirmed

Bright white rooftop against a clear blue sky

Peer-reviewedICTA-UAB · June 2026

ICTA-UAB study confirms white roofs are the most effective daytime strategy for temperature reduction

1.75°C / 3.15°F

Peak cooling in vulnerable areas

Strategies compared

+6°C / +10.8°F

Projected warming by 2100

Ongoing energy needed

Why it matters

Independent confirmation of what MEER teams have measured on rooftops in Pune and Sierra Leone — reflective surfaces lower indoor temperatures without consuming a single watt.

Read the researchNature-indexed

Climate news

Air conditioning should be a last resort

A major new review in Nature Reviews Clean Technology reframes cooling as an architectural problem — not an appliance problem.

Air conditioning unit surrounded by climbing vines

Long read6 min · Feature

Design buildings and cities that need far less cooling in the first place

Cool roofs, radiative daytime cooling materials, external shading and natural ventilation can cut cooling demand by up to 80% and shave more than 4°C (7.2°F) off peak urban temperatures.

-80% demand-4°C / -7.2°F peak tempZero-energy comfort

Read the full paperNature Rev. Clean Tech.

Media

Watch. Listen. Register

This month's MEERTalk, podcast episode and upcoming live conversation.

YouTube

MEERTalk · July

David Spratt on science, the media & climate risk

Watch now

Podcast

Ep. 34 · Aria McKenna

Storytelling, culture & the climate narrative

Listen to the audio on

Apple Podcasts RSS

38 min

Live · Register

Albedo Feedbacks: reversing warming, and how

With Gene Fry, Global Warming Consultant.

Fri

Day

Sept

13:00

EDT

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MEER team members walking through a Sierra Leone neighbourhood carrying bamboo beams for a cooling installation

Support MEER

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Every field study, scientific breakthrough and community partnership brings us one step closer to practical cooling solutions that can protect lives in a warming world.

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