Incentivize the Albedo Effect

The amount of energy reflected by a surface is determined by the reflectivity of that surface, called the albedo. A high albedo means the surface reflects the majority of the radiation hitting it and absorbs the rest. A low albedo means a surface reflects a small amount of the incoming radiation and absorbs the rest.  Fresh snow, for example, reflects up to 95% of the incoming radiation.  At the other end of the spectrum, a freshly blacktopped parking lot absorbs a tremendous amount of the sun's energy--if you've ever tried to walk barefoot across blacktop on a summer day, you get the idea.

State and local governments, non-profits, community organizations and other groups should incentivize home and building owners, car owners, and transportation departments to switch from from high albedo surfaces to low ones.  Encourage building owners using tar and gravel roofs to use a light-colored gravel.  Encourage homeowners to paint their homes in pastels.  Use light colored sand or gravel blends for median strips and playgrounds.  Use whiter blends of cement and concrete for roads, sidewalks, and parking lots.

Mankind has used this effect to cool towns and neighborhoods for thousands of years.  To this day buildings from South Florida to the Mediterranean use lighter colors to keep cool.  In California most UPS delivery trucks and school buses have white roofs to keep out the heat.  

What if most cars had white roofs?  What if most houses had white roofs ( and solar panels)?  What if most streets and highways increased their reflectivity by a significant amount?  The aggregate impact would be substantial.