Smart Surfaces Coalition

We take an intersectional approach to combat climate change with our 40+ organizations. From public health to faith-based communities, architects to Environmental Justice organizations, we unite to support future generations & build a livable climate, one Smart Surface at a time. Learn more about our work at our website: https://lnkd.in/gDZxBEB6

🚀 Exciting News! The Smart Surfaces Coalition, in partnership with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker! 🏛️📈 Policy is a critical driver for scaling Smart Surface adoption. From building code amendments to zoning ordinances and regional commitments, policies can accelerate implementation and drive down costs—empowering cities to build climate resilience and sustainable futures. The Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker is a powerful tool designed to: ✅ Help users discover model ordinances from peer cities. ✅ Compare regulatory metrics across communities. ✅ Understand the evolving landscape of Smart Surfaces policy in the U.S. Many cities are already leading the way with Smart Surface policies, and now you can explore their strategies to inspire action in your community. Ready to dive in? Explore the Policy Tracker today and shape smarter, more sustainable cities: https://lnkd.in/gHm-4VRv #SmartSurfaces #UrbanSustainability #PolicyInnovation #ClimateAction #ResilientCities

☀️ Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and workers are among the most at risk, both indoors and outdoors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a new standard to protect approximately 36 million workers from heat hazards. This initiative addresses critical disparities in exposure, particularly affecting pregnant individuals, older workers and marginalized communities. To support these life-saving protections, like water breaks, shade, and rest for those exposed to extreme temperatures,  the American Public Health Association (APHA) invites health organizations and individuals to take action. 🖊️ Sign APHA's health organization letter urging OSHA to finalize a strong heat standard: https://lnkd.in/epJjVPB6 ✍️ Submit individual comments through APHA's action alert: https://lnkd.in/eNGQ3MDq 📚 Use the “OSHA Heat Toolkit” to share social media language and spread the word: https://lnkd.in/esbtQ-kV The comment period ends Dec. 30—now is the time to act! Advocate for life-saving protections like water breaks, shade, and rest for those exposed to extreme temperatures.

Last month, the Smart Surfaces Coalition celebrated the launch of CarbonStar®, a groundbreaking binational standard and calculator that measures the embodied carbon in concrete. Why is this so important? Concrete is one of the most widely used materials on Earth—and it’s responsible for nearly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This stems from its energy-intensive production process, particularly in manufacturing cement. 🔍 Here’s why CarbonStar® is a game-changer: CarbonStar® provides a standardized way to measure the carbon intensity of concrete, making it easier for manufacturers, designers, and builders to compare products, adopt lower-emission processes, and ultimately reduce their environmental impact. 💡 Embodied carbon—the emissions produced during material creation—is often overlooked or inconsistently tracked. With CarbonStar®, the construction industry now has a universal tool to improve transparency and drive climate-conscious decisions. As we innovate with low, zero, and even negative carbon technologies, CarbonStar® is a tool to build greener, more sustainable cities. 🔗 Learn more about CarbonStar® and how it’s transforming the construction industry here: https://lnkd.in/eqd6RxJ6

🎙️ Smart Surface Spotlight: Combining Surfaces for Maximum Impact When creating resilient, sustainable cities, combining different Smart Surface solutions offers even more benefits than using them individually. Why combine Smart Surfaces? 🌞 Cool Roofs + Solar PV These combinations increase energy production from solar panels while reducing the heat absorbed by buildings, cooling both the building and surrounding areas. 🌿 Green Roofs + Solar PV This dynamic duo generates clean energy, reduces building energy use, manages stormwater runoff, and filters harmful air pollutants. 💧 Porous + Cool Surfaces Together, these surfaces reflect heat, capture rainwater, and filter pollutants, improving air quality and reducing the risk of flooding. By combining Smart Surfaces, cities can unlock new ways to embrace urban infrastructure designs that prioritize people and the planet. 🌍

Do you want to join a network of urban infrastructure practitioners transforming cities with climate-smart infrastructure? The Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network brings together practitioners tackling extreme heat, stormwater management, and environmental injustice—while delivering cost savings and better public health outcomes. Through quarterly meetings and exclusive resources like grant templates, notice of funding opportunities, and model ordinances, members gain practical tools to implement green, reflective, and permeable surfaces for resilience and equity. 📩 Ready to collaborate and transform your city? Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gNT3yCrU

Did you know excessive heat can disrupt recess and outdoor activities for kids, reducing their physical activity and even widening academic achievement gaps? Smart Surfaces provide transformative solutions for schools—like tree planting and pocket forests—creating greener, cooler spaces that foster learning, boost health, and advance equity. Districts like Austin Independent School District and Sacramento Unified School District are leading the way: 🌱 Austin planted 1,400+ trees in just three years, creating shaded play areas and outdoor learning spaces. 🌳 Sacramento is transforming asphalt-heavy campuses with pocket forests, cooling surrounding neighborhoods while engaging students in the design process. Check out this article from coalition partner United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to discover how Smart Surfaces are transforming schools into cooler, healthier, and more equitable spaces. ✨📚 https://lnkd.in/evMxfGWV

🌍 Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, and cities across the region are grappling with the consequences of rising temperatures: record-breaking heat waves, strained infrastructure, and devastating health impacts. A recent article from coalition partner World Resources Institute (WRI) highlights the urgent challenges ahead. Alarmingly, heat-related deaths could triple in a 3°C temperature increase scenario, emphasizing the pressing need for action to protect lives and livelihoods. Cities like Paris and London are leading the way with nature-based solutions—greening rooftops, transforming schoolyards, and planting urban trees. These measures reduce temperatures and increase community resilience against climate extremes. We emphasize these types of Smart Surface solutions at the Smart Surfaces Coalition. Reflective roofs, cool pavements, and urban trees are necessary not only in the U.S., but globally. As rising temperatures impact communities worldwide, scaling up these proven strategies is critical to mitigating heat, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing climate goals. 🔗 Read WRI’s full article: https://lnkd.in/gtUf8gFd

🚀 We’re excited to announce the launch of the Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network, a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect urban infrastructure practitioners nationwide with resources for Smart Surfaces implementation to advance climate equity and resilience! This platform empowers cities to adopt Smart Surfaces—reflective, porous, and green surfaces, solar PV, and urban trees—to tackle extreme heat and flooding while advancing public health and equity. The Peer Learning Network builds on two highly successful SSC initiatives: the Cities for Smart Surfaces program and the Cool Roadways Partnership. The Network offers a space for city officials to exchange knowledge, access curated tools like model policies and funding guides, and collaborate on strategies for Smart Surfaces implementation. Members will join quarterly meetings starting early 2025, gaining insights into successful Smart Surface policies and projects while connecting with a growing community of changemakers. Are you ready to bring your city into the conversation? Learn more about the Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g-p4FMC5 #ClimateResilience #cityplanning #urbanplanning #urbanheat #urbantrees #ClimateAction

🌍 Smart Surfaces and nature-based design go hand in hand! This inspiring video from coalition partner American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) highlights how landscape architects are designing innovative solutions to keep communities cool, safe, and resilient in the face of climate challenges. From green schoolyards to urban parks that double as "green sponges," these projects showcase the transformative power of sustainable surfaces in creating a climate-positive future. 🔗 Watch the video and share it with policymakers, community leaders, and others! https://lnkd.in/e5k_Ux_c