APES Urban Heat Islands

2 methods in which urban heat island forms

Lack of vegetation and climate changes

Benefits of climate change wintertime/ summertime

Lengthens the plant growing season

Is urban heat island high or low albedo? why?

Low albedo because more sunlight is absorbed into the ground and less is reflected

One thing that is currently being done in NC to decrease urban island effect

NC state university has an active permeable pavement research program

what is cool pavement?

Paving materials that wont absorb as much sunlight (reflect more solar energy)

Define "Urban heat island"

Urban regions that become warmer than rural surroundings forming an "island" of warmer temperatures in the landscape

In the graph (notes) which areas are cooler?

Urban rural areas are cooler than the dense downtown areas because the areas that were once permeable and moist are now impermeable and dry

Detriments of climate change wintertime/ summertime

increased energy consumption, elevated air pollutants, compromises human health, and impairs water quality

what does elevated admissions of CO2 do in cities?

makes it warmer

what is the temperature variance between green roof and traditional roof?

traditional: 90 degrees f green roof: cooler than air temperature

Benefits of green roofs:

- Reduced energy use - Reduced air pollution - Enhanced water quality - Improved quality of life

3 human health effects of heat islands

- heat cramps and exhaustion - respiratory problems (breathing) - heat stroke

4 major impacts of heat islands:

- impaired water quality - compromised human health - increased energy consumption - elevated air pollutants

what are the 4 things that can reduce the urban heat island effect?

- increase in vegetation - creating green roofs - cooling roofs - cool pavements