Adaptation10 - “The Heat is on...” — fungi are gone!

Those of you who went mushroom foraging recently may have been taken aback by how few you found.

This isn’t just a seasonal anomaly. Our forests are under stress. Trees have been weakened by prolonged droughts, erratic weather patterns, and the cascading effects of a warming climate. The mushrooms, unable to change their biology, can only adapt by migrating to new habitats, where conditions are still favorable. It’s a poignant reminder that while we, as humans, have the ability to innovate and adapt to our changing world, much of nature can only respond by moving out. (Read More about fungi’s role in climate change).

Populations the world over are feeling the impacts of extreme heat. This is not merely about uncomfortable temperatures. Heat is a silent killer, and a relentless threat to both human health and infrastructure. Its effects are pervasive, but can be deceptively gradual. Unlike floods or storms, heat rarely causes immediate, visible destruction. Instead, it works in the background, slowly stressing urban systems, increasing electricity demand for cooling, and degrading building materials over time. Cities are particularly vulnerable due to the “urban heat island” effect, a function of how concrete and asphalt absorb and retain more heat than rural areas.

Governments and businesses around the world are starting to prioritize heat resilience as climate change progresses. Urban planners are exploring ways to design cooler cities through green spaces, reflective surfaces, and innovative building materials that reduce heat absorption. In offices and factories, companies are experimenting with flexible schedules to minimize their workers’ exposure to peak temperatures and introducing new technologies to cool industrial spaces more efficiently.

In this edition of Adaptation10, we highlight ten innovative companies that are tackling heat head-on. From advanced cooling technologies to urban planning strategies designed to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, these companies offer solutions that can help to build more resilient communities and protect the vulnerable from the growing threat of extreme heat.

To conclude this edition, as always, we bring the selected companies to life through an illustrative story. This time around, we introduce Maya and Leo, a couple who showcase how our Adaptation10 can make a tangible difference.

Stay resilient and join us in this journey of adaptation and technology.

Special Offer: As valued Adaptation10 readers, we are pleased to offer discounted in-person and virtual tickets to THE SHIFT conference on November 6 Berlin.

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Warm regards,?

Daniel & Louie

(Editors, Adaptation 10)

Airlite is an Italian company transforming the paint industry with its eco-friendly, air-purifying products. Using natural minerals, their paints actively neutralize pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and bacteria, turning walls into air purifiers. Outdoors, Airlite reflects the warm portion of sunlight, reducing cooling energy costs by up to 30%. Their innovative technology also reduces smog, eliminates odors, and prevents mold growth, all while boosting energy efficiency. Airlite paints provide a sustainable, beautiful, and health-enhancing solution for homes and public spaces.

Solar Polar Ltd., based in the UK, specializes in solar-powered thermal cooling and heating technologies that function without electricity. Their products include solar cooling systems for refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as solar heating solutions for outdoor living and leisure. These innovations are especially useful in off-grid, hot-climate areas, offering sustainable, silent, and eco-friendly temperature control.

Phononic, headquartered in the US, is pioneering solid-state cooling and heating technologies that have the potential to transform thermal management across various industries. Their thermoelectric solutions replace traditional refrigeration and cooling systems with more sustainable, energy-efficient alternatives. Phononic’s technology is used in sectors such as healthcare, electronics, and food storage, where precise temperature control is crucial. By utilizing semiconductor materials, Phononic’s systems offer silent, vibration-free, and environmentally friendly cooling solutions, helping to reduce reliance on harmful refrigerants and electricity use.

Tomorrow.io is a weather forecasting and monitoring company offering a wide range of services, from heavy rain predictions to drought monitoring. Of particular interest for this report is its precise heat forecasting capabilities. Tomorrow.io delivers accurate heatwave predictions and streamlines the communication of these to key stakeholders, providing them with the information necessary to take effective actions. In addition, Tomorrow.io provides hyper-local weather insights, allowing users to focus on the exact location of their company, city, or production facilities.

Fytogreen is an Australian company specializing in green infrastructure solutions including roof gardens, green walls, planter boxes, and floating wetlands. They provide comprehensive design, installation, and maintenance services for sustainable greening projects. Whether a client needs to improve air quality, reduce the internal temperature of their buildings, or bring a little nature to their public spaces, Fytogreen offers a solution. The company’s floating wetlands are also capable of addressing water issues that arise from heat and drought. These installations naturally improve water quality and create habitats for wildlife.

(Sign up to ClimateProof) is a US-based company offering advanced heat-reduction windows and coatings designed to combat rising temperatures and increased sun exposure. Their products use specialized materials that reflect and absorb solar energy, preventing excessive heat within buildings. The coatings are applied to glass surfaces, blocking harmful UV rays and reducing heat transfer. Defenselite solutions are particularly beneficial for new buildings, offering an energy-efficient and cost-effective method to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. By reducing heat gain, their products help cut down on air conditioning use, resulting in lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint.

(Sign up to ClimateProof), based in the US, specializes in advanced aerogel materials, which are known for their exceptional thermal insulation properties. Aerogels, often referred to as the world’s lightest solid, provide unparalleled insulation against extreme temperatures, making them ideal for applications like building insulation, industrial equipment, and space exploration. By combining high-performance insulation and low weight, Aerogel Technologies helps industries reduce energy consumption, manage heat stress, and improve safety in challenging environments.?

(Sign up to ClimateProof), based in the US, is pioneering eco-friendly cooling solutions for food preservation in off-grid areas. Their portable, lightweight refrigeration systems use evaporative cooling technology that requires no external power source. This sustainable solution helps extend the shelf life of perishable goods, providing essential support to communities with limited access to electricity. By using only water for cooling, Evaptainers reduces food spoilage, aids local farmers, and bolsters food security in areas affected by high temperatures and unreliable power infrastructure. (*Note: It is unclear whether it is, also called ‘Fenik’, is a going concern)

(Sign up to ClimateProof), specializes in passive radiative cooling technology, offering an innovative method to lower temperatures without electricity. Their cutting-edge products reflect sunlight while emitting heat into the atmosphere, providing a natural and energy-efficient cooling solution. Designed for various applications, including buildings, vehicles, and outdoor equipment, Radi-Cool's technology helps reduce energy consumption, particularly in warm and tropical climates where heat mitigation is critical. By decreasing reliance on traditional air conditioning systems, Radi-Cool lowers energy costs and supports a more sustainable future.

(Sign up to ClimateProof), based in Germany, provides energy-neutral solutions for heat and cold protection. Their primary product, "ClimateCoating," reduces heat absorption by reflecting solar radiation, keeping spaces cooler in summer and reducing heat loss in winter. They also offer reflective fabrics and cooling films that block up to 85% of solar heat, enabling passive cooling without additional energy use. These innovations are crucial for adapting to climate change by lowering energy consumption for air conditioning and heating, contributing to more sustainable living and infrastructure solution

Story of the month

A Desert Vision: How two friends are transforming their hometown with cooling technologies

In the scorching heart of Arizona, the small desert town of San Siro is grappling with record-breaking heatwaves. Once a peaceful community, it now faces the daily struggles that come from living under an unforgiving sun. But amidst the rising temperatures, two friends — Maya and Leo — have a vision. They refuse to let the heat erode their quality of life and are determined to turn their hometown into a beacon of resilience. With the help of a host of cutting-edge startups, they’re on a mission to create a future where San Siro can thrive in the face of extreme heat.

Morning in the desert: Big plans start at home

Maya and Leo, childhood friends who grew up together in San Siro, have seen their town’s climate change over the years. As they meet at Leo’s house early in the day, the sun is already high in the sky, pushing temperatures past 90°F by mid-morning. However, the air inside Leo’s house is surprisingly cool. This is in part thanks to the heat-repellent wall paint from (Learn more at ClimateProof), that coats its outer walls. The paint reflects a significant amount of the sun’s heat, keeping the house cool and energy-efficient.

“I think we should do a paint day at the community center next,” Maya suggests, pointing to the success they’ve had at Leo’s place. Outside, Leo’s patio is shaded by CoolAnts’ heat-repellent sun sails, creating a pocket of cool air in the spot where they sit to plan their day.

Inside, the windows — designed by Defenselite — do more than just let in light. They keep out the brutal infrared heat, reducing temperatures inside the house. “These windows are a game-changer,” Leo remarks. “Imagine how much energy we’d save if the entire town switched over.”

Maya nods, already thinking ahead. They have big plans for San Siro, and today is just the start.

Heat of the Day: Taking their vision to the streets

By midday, the Arizona heat is at its peak. Maya and Leo drive across town to meet local leaders at the San Siro community center. Maya, a sustainability advocate, is spearheading efforts to help the town adapt to rising temperatures. Leo, who works as an architect specializing in climate-resilient buildings, is her right-hand man.

Their first stop is to check the hyperlocal weather forecast from Tomorrow.io, a startup that provides real-time climate data. With the hottest week of the year ahead, Tomorrow.io’s forecast warns of dangerous heat levels, giving Maya the data she needs to coordinate cooling strategies for the community.

“We’ll set up temporary cooling centers,” she says, glancing at the forecast. “But I want to go further — let’s start greening the hottest parts of town.” Together, they’ve been working with Fytogreen, a company that specializes in greening urban areas. Fytogreen has already helped them install rooftop gardens on the local library and vertical green walls on several downtown buildings. These spaces don’t just make San Siro more beautiful — they cool down the surrounding area by absorbing heat and improving air quality.

Leo is especially excited about a new project: retrofitting public buildings with Solar Polar panels. These panels not only generate solar power but also have an integrated cooling function, reducing the amount of heat that enters structures they attach to. “We’ll install them at the town hall next,” he says. “With the power savings and the cooling, we could completely change how people experience summer here.”

Community resilience: Bringing the town together

As the day heats up, Maya and Leo check in with residents across San Siro. They stop at a local park, where Fytogreen’s vertical gardens have transformed a once-barren area into a lush, green space. The park is shaded by Solar Polar panels, and under their cover, children play while parents relax on benches.

“This is what I love to see,” Leo says, smiling as he watches people enjoy the shade. “We’ve turned a hotspot into a cool zone.”

Later, they visit a construction site where Leo’s team is working on a new community center. The building is being insulated with advanced materials from (Learn more at ClimateProof) — ultralight aerogels that offer superior heat insulation. “This stuff is amazing,” Leo says, running his hand over the smooth, newly installed walls. “It’ll keep the building cool even in the middle of the desert summer. Plus, it’s fire-resistant, which is huge out here with wildfire risks increasing.”

They both know this is just the beginning. Their goal is to build a future where the town doesn’t just survive the heat, but actively adapts to it. And they’re doing it with every technology they can get their hands on.

Powering through the heat

Maya and Leo are not finished adaptating their own homes. To improve energy efficiency, they’ve installed Phononic's cooling systems — solid-state refrigerators that keep their food fresh without the use of traditional compressors. Maya, always the one to think ahead, also uses a portable (Learn more at ClimateProof) cooling unit to store fruits and vegetables during power outages. The device doesn’t require electricity, making it perfect for emergencies.

“You’ve always been the prepared one,” Leo jokes, watching her pack the cooler. But Maya knows that in a town like San Siro, preparation is key.

Planning for the future: A town transformed

As the sun sets and the desert begins to cool, Maya and Leo walk through the town square. It’s a quieter evening, the relentless heat finally giving way to a cooler breeze. Overhead, the rooftops glint in the fading sunlight — many of them already fitted with (Learn more at ClimateProof) passive cooling panels, which radiate heat away from the buildings, keeping them cool without any energy consumption.

“Next, we’ve got to convince the town council to repaint the municipal buildings with Airlite paint,” Maya says, ever the planner. Airlite’s paint not only reflects heat but also purifies the air, an added benefit for a town like San Siro where dust and air quality are always concerns.

“I’ll make the pitch,” Leo says with a grin. “We’re going to turn this place into a model for how towns can survive — and thrive — in the heat.”

A vision for a resilient future

As the night settles in, Maya and Leo sit on the steps of the town’s central library, feeling the coolness from the rooftop garden above. They’re not just two friends with a dream anymore — they’re leaders in their community, helping transform San Siro into a resilient, adaptive town that can face the rising heat head-on.

The technologies from (Learn more at ClimateProof), (Learn more at ClimateProof), Fytogreen, and the other startups have become the foundation of their vision, but driving their efforts is the community they love. Maya and Leo know there’s still more work to be done, but they’re hopeful. With each project completed, each new innovation introduced, they’re helping to adapt San Siro for good.

As the stars begin to twinkle in the desert sky, they toast to a future where extreme heat isn’t something to fear — it’s something they’ve learned to live with and conquer.