I have a particular interest in the heat-island effect so this kind of stuff is always on my radar. This one specifically however I stumbled upon by chance.
As for your friend, I don’t know if it is only a change once I got older, but you will almost never be able to change your friend’s mind. I’ve had conversations along those lines with libertarians many times and there is a distinct lack of logic when discussing government. It’s not worth your time. I may be a bit exhausted by politics after the last eight years.