Heat Island Effect
Heat Island Effect means making the temperature in urban regions higher than that in the rural regions because of various human activities. This is primarily due to effects like concrete and asphalt masses, these absorb heat and retain it in the environment and there is less vegetation and more energy used. Therefore, the energy consumption becomes higher, the level of air pollutants and greenhouse gases emissions rises, and there are negative impacts on human health. To tackle HIE Sustecsol has developed retail strategies such as improving on vegetation cover, using light colours in our buildings, ensuring we enhance the energy efficiency of our buildings.
Strategies to reduce the heat island effect
The techniques to alleviate the Heat Island Effect that are provided by Sustecsol entail creating cooler and more sustainable urban environments. For example, increasing the number of trees in cities can enhance urban greenery while ensuring shade and cooler air through evapotranspiration. Moreover, making use of building materials which have high albedo for roofs, pavements and facades has a significant effect on reducing temperatures in cities because they reflect more sunshine thus absorbing lesser heat. Besides, cool roofs and pavements have been proven to mitigate against the Heat Island Effect by reflecting back more solar energy whilst retaining less heat.
Enhancing energy efficiency within structures decreases warmth produced by cooling systems and additional energy-consuming devices. This is done by incorporating climate-sensitive urban planning designs which support building positions, locations and materials with an aim to avoid thermal energy build-up in them. With implementation of above mentioned techniques, Sustecsol facilitates lowering of temperatures, improvement of atmospheric conditions, reduction of power use as well as better living standards in metropolitan regions.
How is extreme heat affecting public health near you?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an innovative online platform called the Heat and Health Tracker, which helps monitor heat-related illnesses at specific locations all across the nation in real time. Through the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS), find out which census tracts within your locality are exposed to high heat burden using the Heat Equity Mapper tool. In addition, be sure to check out monthly extreme heat outlooks for summertime in your region on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ website under their Climate and Health Outlook section.
How are local officials protecting people from extreme heat?
Introduced by local authorities so as to shield citizens against the hot weather extreme temperature control strategies have been put in place. Some such measures include making available air conditioned public places for temporary hiding places against high temperatures, tree planting schemes and establishment of parks which increase greenness in towns as well as encouraging cool roofs and pavements that can reflect sunlight thus minimizing heat absorption. Moreover, there is an improvement of public awareness campaigns aimed at making people more aware of risks associated with too much heat including remaining hydrated or avoiding engaging in physical exercises at peak times in hot months.