Surface Energy Balance
A surface's temperature is determined by the balance between the energy it receives (mostly sunlight) and the energy it releases (as heat, infrared radiation, evaporation and convection). Change any term in that ledger and the temperature changes.
Scientific detail
The surface energy balance is expressed as R_n = H + LE + G, where R_n is net radiation (shortwave in minus shortwave out plus longwave in minus longwave out), H is sensible heat flux, LE is latent heat flux (evaporation) and G is ground heat flux. Passive cooling interventions modify R_n (by raising albedo and emissivity) so that less energy is partitioned into H and G, lowering surface and near-surface air temperatures.
Related terms
Albedo
The fraction of sunlight a surface reflects — 0 is black, 1 is a perfect mirror.
Radiative Cooling
Heat loss from any object by emitting thermal infrared radiation.
Urban Heat Island
The phenomenon where cities are noticeably hotter than the surrounding countryside.
Mean Radiant Temperature
The average temperature of every surface radiating heat toward a person.
Where this concept shows up on MEER
Related publications
Related resources
Explore in topic hubs
Curated collections of MEER research, projects, publications and stories that feature this term.
Urban Heat
The urban heat-island effect, its measurement, and how MEER's reflective roofs, canopies and pavements reduce peak city temperatures and protect vulnerable urban populations.
Radiative Cooling & PDRC
PDRC materials, the atmospheric window, thermal emittance and the practical engineering of surfaces that radiate heat directly to deep space.
Albedo & Reflectivity
Understanding planetary albedo, surface reflectivity, ice-albedo feedback, and why restoring Earth's reflectivity matters for global temperature.
Climate Science
MEER's collected explainers on climate science — energy balance, the greenhouse effect, radiative forcing, tipping points and planetary boundaries.
Water & Cooling
How passive cooling and reflective materials protect water resources: reservoir systems, evaporation reduction, and the hydrological co-benefits of surface cooling.
Climate Adaptation
MEER's approach to climate adaptation: adaptive mitigation, radiative forcing, resilience, and the policy context around passive surface cooling.