Uploaded on 2017-02-07 by Clara VN

1.Check the temperature differences in US cities Our analysis of summer temperatures in 60 of the largest U.S. cities found that: -57 cities had measurable urban heat island effects over the past 10 years. Single-day urban temperatures in some metro areas were as much as 27°F higher than the surrounding rural areas, and on average across all 60 cities, the maximum single-day temperature difference was 17.5°F. -Cities have many more searing hot days each year. Since 2004, 12 cities averaged at least 20 more days a year above 90°F than nearby rural areas. The 60 cities analyzed averaged at least 8 more days over 90°F each summer compared to adjacent rural areas. -More heat can increase ozone air pollution. All 51 cities with adequate data showed a statistically significant correlation between higher daily summer temperatures and bad air quality (as measured by ground-level ozone concentrations). Temperatures are being forced higher by increasing urbanization and manmade global warming, which could undermine the hard-won improvements in air quality and public health made over the past few decades. -In two thirds of the cities analyzed (41 of 60), urbanization and climate change appear to be combining to increase summer heat faster than climate change alone is raising regional temperatures. In three quarters (45 of 60) of cities examined, urbanized areas are warming faster than adjacent rural locations. -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) -On average across all 60 cities, urban summer temperatures were 2.4°F hotter than rural temperatures. -Urban heat islands are even more intense at night. Over the past 10 years, average summer overnight temperatures were more than 4°F hotter in cities than surrounding rural areas. 2.Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? The main UHI effects in my area the energy usage and the biological activity. In the first case the high temperatures increase the energy consumption to achieve a better human’s thermal comfort but also increase the diseases because people aren’t prepared to deal with temperature changes. The biodiversity is the second victim, vegetable species die every year due to the high temperatures. The can’t alive because the conditions in my zone are so poor. The right image (rural and urban area.jpg) is my place of residence, a neighbourhood in Getafe (Madrid), and the main difference between the urban area and the rural area is the microclimate. The radiation and the wind depends to a large state on the building geometry and environment configuration. The density and the streets contribute to increase the UHI in the urban area while the standalone buildings allow less energy consumption reducing the UHI. 3.Which are the measures you would propose? I would try to implement the urban area with green spaces and demolish deteriorate buildings to promote fluid dynamic wind. 4.Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Yes, I keep up with policy but there aren’t new measures about UHI effects.