Buildings and structures all around us absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat. In urban areas, this phenomenon - also known as the urban thermal effect - creates “heat islands” where daytime temperatures can reach 7°F higher in locations surrounded by concrete buildings and structures compared to green spaces. This phenomenon can also be found in non-urban areas with a high concentration of concrete structures.
Heat islands have wide-reaching effects on the communities where they exist. They increase energy consumption and emission of greenhouse gases and air pollution due to the demand for electricity and ground-level ozone formation during hot weather. Increased temperatures caused by heat islands also compromise the health of people in the community, particularly sensitive groups who are more severely impacted by heat waves and air pollution.
There are steps communities can take to reduce heat islands and counter their effects, including increasing vegetation by planting trees, creating green roofs and taking advantage of innovative planting strategies, as well as investing in new roofing and pavement technologies.
To learn more about heat islands, visit https://www.epa.gov/heatislands.
(Source: bayareamonitor.org)