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In many U.S. cities, summertime temperatures can be up to 10 degrees warmer than surrounding natural areas, creating “urban heat islands.”  The structure of cities plays a major role in the development of heat islands – dark pavement and buildings absorb and trap heat, narrow streets with tall buildings can trap heat and reduce wind flow, [...]

Urban heat islands, created when pavement, driveways, and other surfaces absorb and trap heat in cities, can intensify hot weather and increase the amount of ozone pollution in the air. Viewer Tip: Gas-powered vehicles contribute to ozone pollution.  On hot days, consider reducing your driving time by carpooling, using public transportation, or walking to your [...]

Did you know that Atlanta has a “Tree Protection Ordinance” to prevent the loss of trees around the city and protect mature trees?  Not only do trees provide shade and lower temperatures on warm days, but they also help to clean pollutants from the air, protect ground water, and provide wildlife habitat! Viewer Tip: You [...]

In 1997, NASA initiated a study of the urban heat island effect in Atlanta, using remote sensing to detect heat.  In Atlanta’s central business district, remote sensing technology found the temperatures of buildings, pavement, and other city surfaces to range from 70 to 131 degrees, when the outside temperature was in the low-80′s!  This “urban [...]

Cities can feel significantly hotter than surrounding suburban and rural areas when buildings, roadways, and other “hard” surfaces absorb and trap heat.  As a matter of fact, the average summer land surface temperature of Providence heat islands is about 20 degrees higher than the suburbs, and about 13 degrees higher than Providence neighborhoods with trees! [...]

In cities, hot weather can create the “Urban Heat Island” effect when pavement, driveways, and other surfaces trap heat and intensify hot weather events.  Solar energy absorbed by roads and rooftops can cause the surface temperature of urban structures to become 50 – 70 °F higher than the ambient air temperatures.  Heat waves can trap [...]

High temperatures, coupled with high humidity, can create dangerous health conditions.  These unhealthy conditions can be especially noticeable in cities, where “hard” surfaces absorb and trap heat, and hot air traps pollutants.  Older people can be especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses because the ability to respond to hot weather becomes less efficient with age. Viewer [...]

In many cities, trees and natural landscapes have been replaced with pavement, buildings, and other development.  These factors contribute to the “urban heat island” effect.  On hot days, developed areas absorb and trap heat, which can make cities feel warmer than surrounding natural areas.  Excess heat can increase the demand for energy for air conditioning. [...]

Did you know that in cities with populations over 100,000, peak energy loads rise by about 1.5 to 2 percent for every one degree rise in summertime temperature?  As the temperature goes up, demand for energy for air conditioning also rises, especially in cities where pavement and other “hard surfaces” absorb heat and make outdoor [...]

Did you know that Houston’s urban areas can be up to eight degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas?  When roads, buildings, and other “hard” surfaces absorb and trap heat, the city can really warm up!  This “urban heat island effect” contributes to increased air pollution levels and higher energy use. Viewer Tip: Between 1972 and [...]

Did you know that San Fransisco has 100,000 street trees?  Forty percent of these trees have been planted by Friends of the Urban Forest, but the city still has more than 100,000 empty sidewalk spaces where trees could be planted!  Not only do trees beautify our landscape, but they also provide important environmental services – [...]