Uploaded on 2015-10-18 by prabhdipsingh

In this first part of the exercise we would like you to follow the link to the Climate Central website and check the temperature differences that have been recorded in US cities and their surrounding rural areas due to UHI effect. ANS: Yes, have checked temperature difference in US cities due to climate change and UHI effect. The UHI decreases air quality by increasing the production of pollutants such as ozone, and decreases water quality as warmer waters flow into area streams and put stress on their ecosystems. On average across all 60 cities, urban summer temperatures were 2.4°F hotter than rural temperatures The top 10 cities with the most intense summer urban heat islands (average daily urban-rural temperature differences) over the past 10 years are: • Las Vegas (7.3°F) • Albuquerque (5.9°F • Denver (4.9°F) • Portland (4.8°F) • Louisville (4.8°F) • Washington, D.C. (4.7°F) • Kansas City (4.6°F) • Columbus (4.4°F) • Minneapolis (4.3°F) • Seattle (4.1°F) Reference: http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/pdf/climate_change_scan.pdf Surface temperatures have warmed by 0.5 to 1.5°C in southern Canada during the past century (Meteorological Service of Canada2005a). 2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? Now that you saw the significant effect of UHI in the US cities, can you provide data and information for your own place of residence? In addition to that, we want you to provide two images; the first one of a city and the second one of its surrounding rural area (preferably one of those areas is your place of residence). Compare the two images in terms of reasons that contribute to the UHI effect of the city. ANS: Surface temperatures have warmed by 0.5 to 1.5°C in southern Canada during the past century (Meteorological Service of Canada2005a). TORONTO’S CHANGING CLIMATE Since the late 1800s, Toronto has experienced an average temperature increase of 2.7°C. This is much higher than surrounding rural sites due to the urban heat island effect1. Climate change in combination with the heat island, will sustain Toronto’s profound warming trend. HOTTER SUMMERS/MILDER WINTERS Summers in Toronto are heating up and getting more smoggy. The summer of 2005 began with the warmest June on record, with the warmth continuing into July, August and September. There were 37 days with maximum temperatures greater than 30°C compared to an average of 13 (1971-2000 normal) most years. Humidex values soared, reaching 35 more than 44 times, and a record number of 48 smog days occurred FINANCIAL BURDEN ON MUNICIPALITIES Extreme weather and natural disasters can place a huge financial burden on municipalities. Costly repairs to infrastructure or clean up efforts will become more common. The August 19, 2005 rainstorm cost Parks & Recreation $12.5 million alone. Urban Forestry Services spent $600,000 on the clean up of fallen trees and Transportation Services spent at least $5 million on the repair of Finch Avenue Area of Toronto. Toronto City Image ![enter image description here][1] Surrounding Rural Areas: In Greater Toronto Area – North of Brampton (50 kms away from City of Toronto - Downtown) ![enter image description here][2] Toronto City Image ![enter image description here][3] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14451482987272552.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14451481225967437.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14451481778009253.jpg 3. Which are the measures you would propose? If you could take part in the decision making process of an initiative related to the UHI effect, which are the measures that you would propose in order to reduce it and provide a more livable environment to the citizens? ANS: Following are various measures in Toronto wrt UHI effect WATER Toronto’s water quality, water supply and wastewater infrastructure are likely to be affected by climate change. Heavy downpours cause combined sewer overflows, damage infrastructure, erode stream and river banks, and flush polluted substances such as oil, lawn fertilizers, and animal waste into waterways. Warmer water temperatures in Lake Ontario may allow new waterborne pathogens to move northward or existing ones to flourish. Demand for water will increase during summer months, particularly during heat waves as people try to stay cool and watering needs for lawns and gardens increase HEALTH The health of Toronto residents is already affected by warmer summers and increasing levels of air pollution. An increase in heat will exacerbate air pollution, particularly ground-level ozone, which is the primary ingredient in smog. Each year, an estimated 1,700 people die prematurely due to short- and long-term exposure to polluted air. It is estimated that by 2080, heat-related deaths will triple and air pollution-related deaths will increase by 25%. A warmer climate will also spread vectorborne disease as the northern limit of many disease carriers is controlled by temperature. ENERGY Energy, especially electricity, will be affected in three main areas: generation and production; transmission and distribution; and energy demand. Hydroelectric production will perhaps be the most affected as an expected drop in lake water levels will decrease electrical output. The capacity of nuclear and coal generating stations is also expected to decrease as warmer water temperatures reduce the efficiency of condensers. Transmission lines are at risk from ice storms as seen in the dramatic storm of 1998. Energy demand is expected to increase as summer temperatures soar, putting the entire system under greater strain and leading to brownouts and blackouts TRANSPORTATION All forms of mobility are already subject to weather-related service disruptions, which threaten to become more frequent as weather patterns become more erratic and severe. TTC operations are most vulnerable to blackouts, which leaves electricity-dependent trains and streetcars stranded. Road travel is also affected by the loss of power to traffic lights. Weather extremes also damage road and rail infrastructure. Shipping activity at the Port of Toronto will face significant costs if water levels in the Great Lakes Basin drop. BUILDINGS Buildings are susceptible to storm damage, particularly during heavy rainfalls that overwhelm stormwater systems, causing sewers to back up and basements to flood. Winds are another concern as a small increase in wind intensity can lead to disproportionate building damage. Milder winters are already proving troublesome by bringing more freeze-thaw cycles, which wear away at building materials. URBAN ECOSYSTEM Toronto’s natural ecosystem already faces pressure from urban growth, heat stress, and air and water pollution. Climate change will exacerbate these stressors. The urban forest will suffer from the increase in severity and duration of heat waves. The composition of plant and animal species in wetlands will likely change, with native species disappearing and more invasive species moving in. Hotter summers will lead to greater surface water evaporation and may lead to significantly lower water levels in the Don, Humber, and Rouge valleys. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Do you know of policies in your community that are planned to reduce the UHI effect? Provide us with information regarding any visible results. ANS: Following are detailed policies and initiatives by Toronto and ON government to see Visible results: Climate Change Adaptation in Toronto. Climate change adaptation can be defined as initiatives and measures taken to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to actual or expected climate change effects. Examples of adaptive actions include raising river or coastal dikes, and substituting more temperature-shock resistant plants for sensitive ones, etc. Toronto's Climate Change Risk Assessment Tool The City has developed its own climate change risk assessment tool (process and software). The most important benefit of the tool is that City service and infrastructure providers will be better able to identify and mitigate climate change-related risks and take action to reduce the impact of severe weather on infrastructure and key services. This will help avoid significant costs and service disruptions that could harm citizens, business operations, and the natural environment in Toronto. Climate change risk assessments have been conducted in two City divisions: Transportation Services and Shelter, Support & Housing Administration. Other divisions will follow. A Resilient City Working Group has been formed to facilitate this process. Toronto's WeatherWise Partnership Convened by the City of Toronto and CivicAction in 2011, theWeatherWise Partnership is a group of more than 50 public, private and not-for-profit organizations from across the Toronto region that are working together to better protect the region's residents, organizations, infrastructure, and environment from extreme weather. Examples of Adaptive Actions The City, residents and businesses are taking action to make our buildings and infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather and improve the city's overall sustainability, including: • Planting more trees to increase shade and to clean and cool the air • Increasing the size of storm sewers and culverts to handle greater volumes of runoff • Proactive pruning of trees to reduce damage to property and electrical power lines during wind storms • Increasing the inspection and maintenance of culverts on a regular basis and especially after storm events • Using rain barrels to reduce runoff and capture rainwater for reuse • Installing permeable surfaces (rather than asphalt, for example) to reduce runoff from heavy rainfalls • Landscaping with drought-resistant plants • Changing the slope of the land at the lot level to direct runoff away from proeprty that can be damaged by excess surface water • Installation of basement backflow preventers and window well guards to reduce flooding risks • Using cool/reflective materials on the roofs of homes and buildings to reduce the urban heat island effect • Changing some city workers' uniforms to lighter colours during the summer months • Health programs such as West Nile, Lyme Disease, Shade Policy, Cooling Centres, Smog Alerts and the Air Quality Index Internet Sources used: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=78cfa84c9f6e1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD AHEAD OF THE STORM…. Preparing Toronto for Climate Change http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Environment%20and%20Energy/Our%20Goals/Files/pdf/A/ahead_of_the_storm.pdf Toronto's Adaptation Actions Updated April 2011 http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Environment%20and%20Energy/Our%20Goals/Files/pdf/toronto_cc_adapt_actions.pdf Report on Public Engagement on Climate Change Adaptation: Seeking Public Input to Help Toronto Prepare for Climate Change http://www1.toronto.ca/city_of_toronto/environment_and_energy/key_priorities/files/pdf/climate_change_adaptation_public_engagement_report.pdf Best Practices in Climate Resilience From Six North American Cities http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Environment%20and%20Energy/Programs%20for%20Businesses/Images/16-06-2014%20Best%20Practices%20in%20Climate%20Resilience.pdf