Dec. 8, 2010 /EIN Presswire/ – Planting the more reflective versions of crops could help cool regional temperatures, according to recent research.

Increasing the reflectivity of crops by 20 percent could decrease regional temperatures by about one degree Celsius, which could garner an immediate effect as 11 percent of the world’s land surface is covered by crops.

Current research shows differences in reflectivity of up to 20 to 40 percent in some plant species, and researchers say the the ability of plants to reflect more sunlight could increase the plants’ water retention.

Researchers don’t believe more reflective crops will put a halt to climate change but feel it’s a cost effective way to take the edge off rising temperatures.

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