Dear Climate Change and Health Community,

Our next community meeting will take place next Thursday (April 10), from 1–2 PM CEST and we will have an exciting presentation from the GIZ on the "Cool White" Project (details below).

Please register for the Zoom call here:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DLN3DnzWSIWbHzUbW4F_8g

Recap of Our Last Meeting: We briefly discussed the structure of our policy paper and assigned responsibilities for different chapters. Additionally, we decided to begin our calls with short presentations in the area of climate change and health (15–20 minutes). We encourage all of you to share your work, research, or projects related to climate change and health. Please get in contact with us in case you would like to present something in one of the next meetings!

Agenda for Our Next Call
Guest Presentation: Michael Kleinbub from the GIZ will introduce the "Cool White" project, which aims to mitigate climate change by demonstrating the cooling benefits of white roofs in Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. By painting roofs white, the project helps lower indoor temperatures, improving well-being and productivity in factories and schools. This sustainable approach serves as an energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning, which significantly contributes to global electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The project also involves training local craftsmen and vocational students to apply the coatings independently. "Cool White" primarily benefits individuals living, working or studying in buildings with ribbed roofs, where high temperatures impact their well-being. A temperature reduction of just 2–3°C can significantly enhance well-being—leading to better sleep, improved concentration, and greater overall comfort.

Policy Paper Discussion: We will continue working on the development of our policy paper.

Save the Date: Our monthly call in May is scheduled for May 29, from 1–2 PM CEST. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Looking forward to your participation!

Best regards,

Donald, Jennyfer and Klaus