search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Roofing NewsSustainable Roofing

GAF Aims to Curb Urban Heat with Cool Community Project

gaf-logo-tagline-1170
March 18, 2022

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — GAF today announced the launch of the GAF Cool Community Project, an initiative designed to assess and help mitigate the impact of urban heat on a community. GAF has partnered with Climate Resolve, the Global Cool Cities Alliance, local community organizations, and municipal government partners to conduct a multi-phased research project to understand the impacts of urban heat and cooling solutions have on the livability of the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima. 

“Extreme heat can have incredibly negative impacts on a community’s quality of life and this research is an important first step to learn how we can help curb urban heat in not only Pacoima but also communities across the country,” said Ashish Kulkarni, chief innovation officer at GAF. “At GAF, we believe resilience is the foundation of thriving, sustainable communities, and as leaders in the industry we will continue to invest in opportunities to drive change through innovation and make a positive social impact.”

The initiative will benchmark and monitor the surface and ambient air temperatures in the community as well as evaluate qualitative measures, such as awareness of the impact of extreme heat, outdoor community engagement and play opportunities. After gathering initial data, GAF will implement cooling strategies, starting with installing StreetBond reflective pavement coatings, in a 10-square block area of Pacoima to better understand how such solutions can help improve the livability of the neighborhood and provide community members opportunities to connect and play all year round.

“The Los Angeles community knows firsthand the impacts of extreme heat and Pacoima is one of the hottest areas in Los Angeles having warmed nearly two degrees since 1955,” said Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve. “This is a community in great need of relief and this project will make a great difference for this neighborhood and the larger LA community as we work to build a just and resilient future with GAF, the City of Los Angeles and the Global Cool Cities Alliance.”

GAF has previously worked with the City of Los Angeles’ Cool Streets Project and the LA Unified School District to improve 65 playgrounds at schools as well as many streets throughout the area with cool, reflective pavement coatings. The company was recently recognized for its work in the area at Climate Resolve’s Coolest in LA awards gala. 

An estimated 85% of Americans, around 280 million people, live in metropolitan areas and as the climate continues to change, many urban areas are experiencing extreme heat or “heat island effect.” In some cases, daytime temperatures can be 1 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit higher than temperatures in outlying areas and nighttime temperatures about 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit higher.

“Our focus is on advancing policies and programs that promote efficient and comfortable buildings, healthy and resilient cities, and mitigate the warming effects of climate change,” said Maria Koetter, executive director, Global Cool Cities Alliance. “We are excited to partner on this research and further accelerate a worldwide transition to cooler, healthier cities. This work will potentially influence how we address urban heat at a state, national, and even a global level going forward.”

GAF and its partners hope to take the learnings from this research and model this project in other communities, implementing cooling strategies and continuing to build awareness of the negative impacts of extreme heat on not only the environment but also the livelihoods of a community.

KEYWORDS: climate change environmental impacts GAF reports and studies

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Sustainable Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMKO Titan XL Shingles
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Built for Business: How Titan XT® Shingles Keep Proving Their Value

  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

Popular Stories

The Home Depot is weighing a bid for GMS. The potential offer would pit the retail giant against QXO Inc.

UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Brad Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, offers $5 billion to acquire GMS, a major distributor of gypsum and interior building products.

QXO Sets Its Sights on GMS in $5 Billion Offer

Undocumented workers make up 36% of the U.S. roofing workforce, leaving contractors and workers alike especially vulnerable.

Roofing is Left Exposed by Trump’s Deportation Flip-Flop

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • Austin Cool Roof - TOF.jpg

    City of Austin Undertakes Study of ‘Cool Roofing’ to Mitigate Urban Heat

    See More
  • urban heat islands

    Cool Roof Coatings and Urban Heat Islands

    See More
  • ERA logo

    ERA Recommends Updated Approach to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Impact

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • urban resilience.jpg

    Green Roof Retrofit: Building Urban Resilience

  • business.png

    How to Succeed With Your Own Construction Business

  • performance

    Performance-Based Building Design: From Below Grade to Floors, Walls, Roofs, and Windows to Finishes, 2nd Edition

See More Products
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing