Urban Heat Islands and a Climate of Inequities

The relief from the heat you experience when entering a park or green space is not coincidental but rather the result of an effect called an urban heat island. Urban areas are, on average, 10°F warmer than surrounding natural land cover due to the high concentration of buildings, roads, and other impervious surfaces that absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat. Beyond creating discomfort, urban heat islands also contribute to environmental injustices. Learn more about the current mitigation and adaptation efforts for urban heat islands in this article from the School for Environment and Sustainability.