Urban Heat Islands Activity
1. Define “Urban heat island”:
Urban areas that were once permeable and moist are now impermeable and dry.
2. Sketch the temperature variations as shown on the website onto the profile below. Discuss which areas
are cooler.
Areas that are cooler are the rural areas as they are further from the city.
Urban areas that were once permeable and moist are now impermeable and dry.
2. Sketch the temperature variations as shown on the website onto the profile below. Discuss which areas
are cooler.
Areas that are cooler are the rural areas as they are further from the city.
3. How do heat islands form? Describe 2 methods that contribute to higher urban temperatures from heat
islands.Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Heat islands are formed from the exposure of heat from the son onto urban surfaces. Two methods that contribute to higher urban temperatures is urban development and exposure of the development to the sun. We care about the heat islands because of it negative impacts toward the environment and the quality of life for the community.
4. Discuss the environmental benefits/detriments of wintertime and summertime heat island areas.
Some of the detriments are increased energy consumption due to demand in cooling, lower water quality due to the heat being transferred into the water runoffs, and more emissions of pollutants from power plants.
5. What are some of the things that can be done to reduce the urban heat island effect?
6. What is the temperature variance in green roof vs. traditional roof?
The surface of a conventional roof is able to be up to 90 degrees warmer.
7. Describe some benefits of green roofs:
Heat Island Impacts
8. What are the 4 major impacts of urban heat islands?
9. Name 2 human health effects of heat islands
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
10. What is a cool pavement?
It is pavement that reflects more solar energy.
Where You Live
Click on California- list 2 things that are currently being done to help mitigate the effects of urban heat
islands
islands.Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Heat islands are formed from the exposure of heat from the son onto urban surfaces. Two methods that contribute to higher urban temperatures is urban development and exposure of the development to the sun. We care about the heat islands because of it negative impacts toward the environment and the quality of life for the community.
4. Discuss the environmental benefits/detriments of wintertime and summertime heat island areas.
Some of the detriments are increased energy consumption due to demand in cooling, lower water quality due to the heat being transferred into the water runoffs, and more emissions of pollutants from power plants.
5. What are some of the things that can be done to reduce the urban heat island effect?
- Increase tree and vegetative cover
- creation of green roofs
- Use cool pavements
6. What is the temperature variance in green roof vs. traditional roof?
The surface of a conventional roof is able to be up to 90 degrees warmer.
7. Describe some benefits of green roofs:
Heat Island Impacts
8. What are the 4 major impacts of urban heat islands?
- Increased energy consumption
- More pollution emmisions
- Compromised human health and comfort
- Impaired water quality
9. Name 2 human health effects of heat islands
- Respiratory difficulties
- heat cramps
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
10. What is a cool pavement?
It is pavement that reflects more solar energy.
Where You Live
Click on California- list 2 things that are currently being done to help mitigate the effects of urban heat
islands
- Trees and vegetation
- Cool roofs