MEER's Founder Dr. Ye Tao arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in January, to begin working with local city officials and university staff on MEER's "Cool Down Freetown!" project, the first of MEER's planned Urban Cooling project series.

Visiting possible project sites with local community leaders and other people crucial for the smooth planning and execution of the project, Dr. Tao has been warmly welcomed, and the project enthusiastically received. Here, Dr. Tao meets with Freetown's Chief Heat Officer, Eugenia Kargbo and one of those working closely with her, John "Miracle" Saccoh. Below, Dr. Tao on campus at Fourah Bay College with student Samuel French.

MDr. Ye Tao arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in January, to begin working with local city officials and university staff on MEER's "Cool Down Freetown!" project, the first in what is planned to be a series of Urban Cooling projects.s with Eugenia Kargbo and a local community leader in Kroo Bay.

All images by Sophy Dishakjian