Almería's greenhouses create local cooling

Part of Andalusia, specifically in Almería, has experienced a cooling effect while the rest of Spain has set heat records. This phenomenon is attributed to the widespread use of white plastic in greenhouses by farmers in the region.

White greenhouses act as solar reflectors

The white plastic used in greenhouses in El Ejido has increased the local albedo, or the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight, by nearly 10 percent. This reflectivity sends solar heat back into space instead of absorbing it, leading to a local cooling effect.

Satellite images reveal the scale

The Landsat 9 satellite captured images in May 2022 showing vast areas of white plastic greenhouse roofs covering the coastal plain of Campo de Dalías. These greenhouses now cover over 40,000 hectares, making it the largest horticultural area in the world.

Albedo and its impact on temperature

Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight a surface reflects. The white plastic used in greenhouses reflects more sunlight than darker surfaces, which absorb heat. Researchers have found that this has significantly altered the reflectivity of the region, cooling it compared to the rest of Spain.

Long-term cooling effect observed

Between 1983 and 2023, the horticultural area in Almería cooled by about 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade, while the rest of Spain warmed by 0.5 degrees Celsius. This created a temperature difference of 0.8 degrees Celsius per decade.

Ecological costs of the cooling

While the cooling effect is notable, it comes with significant ecological costs. In 2020-2021, nearly 49,000 tons of plastic waste were generated from the greenhouses. Additionally, the region's aquifers are severely overexploited, affecting both the quantity and quality of water resources.

Spain's rising temperatures

Spain experienced its third hottest year since records began in 1961 in 2025, with an average temperature of 15.1 degrees Celsius. The Spanish Meteorological Agency reports that the country's average temperature has risen by 1.75 degrees Celsius since 1961.

Almería as a counterexample

Almería stands out as a region with a cooling effect, contrasting with the overall warming trend in Spain. However, this cooling is not a miracle solution. The environmental costs, including plastic waste and overuse of water resources, highlight the complex trade-offs involved in such local climate interventions.