If you've walked the streets of a big city on a sunny day, you've probably felt that oppressive heat coming from the asphalt, and maybe you've wondered why. Well, the phenomenon you are experiencing is called “urban heat island”. But what exactly does it mean and why is it so important?
What are urban heat islands?
The urban heat islands they are areas of cities that become significantly warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This happens because materials such as concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat much more than soil and vegetation. During the night, while the countryside cools rapidly, cities continue to release heat, maintaining higher temperatures.
Since the British Luke Howard began studying this phenomenon in 1818, technology has made great strides. Today, thanks to satellites, we can obtain detailed maps of urban heat islands with a precision never seen before. These tools allow us to visualize thermal differences within cities and plan targeted interventions to mitigate the problem.
Overheating in cities is not just a question of comfort. High temperatures can have serious effects on public health, increasing the risks Of related diseases to heat and worsening air quality. Furthermore, the need to cool environments leads to greater consumption of electricity, with the aggravating circumstance of further increasing the urban temperature.
What can we citizens do?
Every small gesture counts. Even just choosing plants for your balcony or supporting green urban policies can help make the difference difference. Remember that we all live in the same environment and the well-being of the city is the well-being of all its inhabitants.
And you, have you noticed the heat island effect in your city? What do you think could be done to improve the situation? Share your opinion and join the discussion for a cooler and more sustainable future!
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