Mirrors for Earth’s Energy Rebalancing

Cooling the Earth
from the
Surface Up.

Protecting communities from extreme heat today. Helping cool the planet for generations to come.

Learn how it worksOur projects →

Visualization

Global temperature change 1880–2021

1880–2021

Extreme Heat

The challenge

Global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate. As the planet warms, extreme heat is becoming more frequent and more intense, placing growing pressure on communities, ecosystems and infrastructure. While reducing emissions remains essential, practical solutions are also needed to help people adapt today.

1.4°C
Global warming since pre-industrial times
3.6B
People living in highly climate-vulnerable regions
Explore the science
Who we areAbout MEER

MEER is an independent nonprofit research organisation turning climate science into practical cooling solutions.

We develop and test practical cooling technologies for a warming world. By combining science, engineering and real-world field deployment, we translate research into measurable solutions that help communities adapt to extreme heat today while building resilience for the future.

Meet the team
Key sciencePDRCReflective CanopiesReflective Reservoir SystemsAlbedoPassive Cooling

Three complementary technologies —

Diagram showing three MEER cooling approaches: reflective cooling canopies, passive radiative cooling coatings, and reflective water systems with how they work and typical applications

Reflective canopies · PDRC cooling paint · Water cooling systems

Why cooling matters

Cooling is key.

Reducing emissions is essential, but it won’t cool the planet fast enough to help those suffering now. Most climate solutions focus on reducing emissions or removing carbon. Both are important, but neither directly reduces heat today.

Playing muted · use the volume control to unmute

489,000

Annual deaths globally from heat.

Source: WHO
20%

Of global building electricity used for air conditioning and electric fans.

Source: IEA
1.2 Billion

People lack adequate access to cooling today.

Source: UNEP
70%

Of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050.

Source: UN
- WHAT WE DO

Reflecting sunlight. Reducing heat.

Our passive cooling technologies use two natural processes to keep surfaces cooler under the sun. By reflecting more sunlight and releasing heat back into the sky, we help reduce temperatures in cities, protect water resources and support agriculture.

Diagram showing how surface cooling works: reflective sheeting reflects sunlight and PDRC paint systems release heat as thermal radiation.
Step 01
Reflect sunlight

High-albedo surfaces send solar radiation back before it becomes heat.

Step 02
Reduce heat transfer

Cooler surfaces radiate and convect less heat into surrounding air.

Step 03
Lower evaporation

Cooler surfaces mean less water vapor — the strongest natural greenhouse gas.

Step 04
Release to space

PDRC materials emit thermal infrared through the atmospheric window.

Learn more
— WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

Three global systems under pressure from heat.

People, food and water — the systems most exposed to a warming world, and where passive surface cooling can make the greatest difference.

Dense urban neighbourhood exposed to extreme heat
People · Health & resilience

Protecting Communities

Extreme heat is becoming one of the greatest risks to human health. Hotter buildings, neighbourhoods and public spaces place millions at increasing risk during heatwaves, particularly those without access to conventional cooling.

Explore Community Cooling
Key Fact
68%

Of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050.

As cities continue to grow, more people will be exposed to urban heat island effects and dangerous extreme heat.

Source: World Health OrganizationLearn More
Farmer standing in a drought-stricken field of stressed crops
Food · Agriculture & food security

Supporting Food Production

Agriculture depends on stable temperatures and reliable water. As heatwaves become more frequent, crops experience greater heat stress, lower productivity and increasing pressure on food security.

Explore Food Security
Key Fact
7.5%

Global maize yields decline by an average of 7.5% for every 1°C increase in global temperature.

Extreme heat is already reducing crop productivity worldwide and placing increasing pressure on food security. Crops such as maize, wheat, soybeans, coffee, cocoa and citrus are becoming increasingly vulnerable as heatwaves become more frequent and intense.

Source: FAO–WMO, Extreme Heat and Agriculture (2026)Learn More
Reservoir experiencing severe evaporation and drought
Water · Conservation & security

Conserving Freshwater

Freshwater resources are under growing pressure from rising temperatures and evaporation. Protecting reservoirs and water supplies will become increasingly important in a warming world.

Explore Water Conservation
Key Fact
70%

Around 70% of the world's freshwater is used for agriculture, making water conservation increasingly important as evaporation rises.

Higher temperatures increase evaporation from reservoirs, soils and waterways, reducing water availability during droughts.

Source: United NationsLearn More
Aerial view of a MEER field deployment
- COOLING IN ACTION

Immediate relief. Measurable impact.

From homes and schools to public spaces, our technologies are delivering measurable cooling where it matters most. Every project helps improve lives today while building the evidence for wider deployment.

2,000+ m²
Reflective cooling surfaces deployed
1,000+
People benefiting from our pilot projects
3–6°C
Typical indoor temperature reduction
45+
Local workers trained in fabrication and installation
- SAFE, PRACTICAL, SCALABLE

Grounded in known physics.

Local and controllable

Deployed roof by roof, block by block, in partnership with residents.

Low-cost and reversible

Modular components; removable and recyclable at end of life.

No atmospheric intervention

Passive surfaces — nothing released into the atmosphere.

Immediate community benefit

People feel the temperature drop the same day the system is installed.

- KEY PROJECT SITES

Developing and testing solutions around the world.

MEER works with local partners to develop, test and deploy practical cooling solutions in some of the world's hottest environments. Every project generates valuable scientific data while helping communities adapt to extreme heat.

India

An evolving research programme based in Pune — reflective rooftop field trials, long-term monitoring, durability testing and next-generation materials research.

Sierra Leone

Frontline communities in Freetown receive reflective rooftops, shade structures, and community cooling systems.

China

Engineering partnership advancing next-generation passive daytime radiative cooling materials, reflective composites and the systems needed to scale surface cooling globally.

Tanzania

A long-term demonstration site in Dar es Salaam where reflective rooftop materials installed around two years ago continue to perform well, providing durability evidence for wider deployment.

California

Investigation of reflective and radiative materials for reducing heat across water systems and urban environments.

Playing muted · use the volume control to unmute

- HUMAN STORIES

Stories from the communities we serve.

Our work is measured in more than temperature reductions. It's about helping people live, work and learn more safely in a warming world while building practical solutions for the future.

Discover more stories
- GET INVOLVED

Cooling the world starts locally.

Whether you’re a donor, researcher, policymaker, or community partner, there are many ways to support practical solutions to extreme heat.

Donate

Fund cutting-edge research on extreme heat interventions, including next-generation passive cooling paints (PDRC).

Give to MEER

Partner With Us

Install cooling systems where they are needed most and train local teams to build and maintain them.

Become a partner

Subscribe

Get the latest MEERTalks, newsletters, podcasts, and research from MEER field operations.

Subscribe to the newsletter
Aerial context of a MEER field deployment