Simply converting your dark-colored roof to a reflective "cool" one would have the same effect on preventing atmospheric warming as taking two or three cars off the road, according to Menlo Park's Green Ribbon Citizens' Committee.

With that in mind, the volunteer group hopes to convert 35 roofs across the city to "cool roofs" over the next 12 months -- the equivalent of taking nearly 100 cars off the road, the group estimates.

A celebration commemorating the conversion of a house at 2141 Sterling Ave. is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

The dedication will coincide with some 3,000 events across the world, part of a campaign by the advocacy group 350 (350.org).

Dark roofs generate heat that is trapped by greenhouse gases. But "cool roofs work just like arctic ice, to safely reflect light from the sun back out into space so it can't heat the atmosphere," committee members Kate Forrest and Mitch Slomiak wrote in a press release.

According to Mr. Slomiak, roofs can be converted either by installing new reflective shingles, or by simply coating shingles with reflective paint -- the method used at the Sterling Avenue house. He acknowledged that some residents might be concerned about the aesthetics of having a white-colored roof, but suggested that that could change if the concept takes hold.

For more information, visit the group's Web site.

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