Japan didn't fix its leaky roofs when the sun was shining prior to the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings.

Public areas of the hotel are open to the elements, but everywhere you turn pitched roofs protect from sun or rain and the swish guestrooms bring the outdoors in.

Speaking at Cambridge University this week, Dr Chu suggested we paint the roofs and pavements of our towns and cities white, as it will help the planet reflect, rather than retain, heat from the sun.