Paint your roof white.
By Hashem AkbariAs the threat of climate change becomes more pronounced, a number of scientists have proposed supplementing the full range of mitigation efforts with geo-engineering strategies to manipulate the Earth's environment. Many such techniques are novel and unproven. One simple technology, however, has been in practice for thousands of years: changing the solar reflectance, or albedo, of a built surface. "Cool roofs" and "cool pavements" should be among the first geo-engineering techniques used to combat global warming.More than 50 percent of the world population now lives in urban areas, and by 2040 that fraction is expected to reach 70 percent. Increasing the solar reflectance of the urban surface would reduce the outflow of thermal infrared radiation into the atmosphere. In addition to reflecting light back into the atmosphere, cool roofs reduce energy use in air-conditioned buildings and increase comfort in non-air-conditioned buildings. In cities, the widespread application of cool roofs and cool pavements helps to mitigate summer urban heat islands, thereby reducing the overall air-conditioning load and improving outdoor air quality and comfort.We at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimate that permanently retrofitting urban roofs and pavements in the tropical and temperate regions of the world with solar-reflective materials would serve to offset of 44 gigatons of CO2.How much is that? If the average car emits 4 tons of CO2 each year, permanently increasing the solar reflectance of urban roofs and pavement worldwide would be the equivalent of taking the world's 600 million cars off the road for 18 years. We need to aggressively pursue a strategy of cooling urban surfaces to delay some of the effects of climate change, and give society time to take further measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our ability to adapt.Akbari runs the Heat Island Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a professor at Concordia University. He believes we should be painting our roofs and roads white as a way to combat climate change.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.