Cool Roofs Offer Hope Against Extreme Heat in Rural Africa

As the planet warms, communities around the world are looking for simple, affordable ways to stay safe in rising temperatures. In rural Burkina Faso, where homes can be up to 10 degrees hotter inside than the air outside, residents face dangerous heat nearly all year round. A new study published in BMC Public Health explored whether “cool roofs” — special coatings that reflect sunlight and release heat — could be a practical and welcome solution. 

One of the co-authors of the study is José Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, RCEI Affiliate and Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice. 

The research team held focus group discussions with residents in the town of Nouna to learn how people felt about the idea. Participants described extreme indoor heat as a source of suffering, illness, and sleepless nights. They said cool roofs would be acceptable if they were affordable, long-lasting, and made available through local production. People also wanted clear information about how the roofs work and whether they really reduce heat. 

The study highlights that combating climate change isn’t only about cutting greenhouse gases—it’s also about helping communities adapt to new realities. Cool roofs could reduce heat stress, improve health, and support productivity in regions where access to electricity and air conditioning is limited. By lowering indoor temperatures, families could avoid illnesses linked to heat, protect children, and sleep more comfortably at night. 

“This work shows that climate solutions must be practical and community-driven,” said Cedeño-Laurent. “If we design them with local needs in mind, we can improve health, resilience, and well-being in places most affected by global warming.” 

You can read the full study here. 

This article was written with assistance from Artificial Intelligence, was reviewed and edited by Oliver Stringham, and was reviewed by Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, a co-author on the study.