urban climates Archives

Environment

Street Trees in California Valued at $1 Billion

June 20, 2016July 15, 2021 Science Connectedtrees, urban climates

Trees lining California streets give cities and urban residents valued at $1 billion, according to a new study.

Environment

Hot Towns, Urban Heat Islands

June 14, 2016June 13, 2016 Science Connectedclimate change, environment, heat waves, urban climates

By Steven Spence It’s Hotter in the City Have you ever noticed on weather reports that cities seem to be hotter than the surrounding areas? That’s a result of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, urban areas with 1 million or more residents have a mean annual temperature 1°C to 3°C warmer than their surroundings. At night, the effect is even more pronounced, with city temperatures reaching up to 12°C hotter. With more than half (54 percent) of the world’s population living in urban…