SAT Reading & Writing Question of the Day

Cities facing intensifying heat waves often debate whether to prioritize reflective roofs and pavements or to plant more trees. While reflective surfaces reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed by streets and buildings, their cooling is largely confined to surfaces in direct sunlight and can increase glare. By contrast, expanding tree canopy cools air through shade and evapotranspiration, lowering ambient temperatures that matter for human health—especially at night when stored heat otherwise lingers. Trees also deliver co-benefits such as cleaner air and habitat. Given limited budgets, the most effective way to reduce dangerous heat exposure is to plant and maintain trees, not to coat more roofs and roads. The long-lived cooling trees provide, the argument goes, translates into fewer heat-related illnesses than similarly priced investments in high-albedo materials.