Heat Islands Cities act as urban heat islands—distorts climate research Lemonick 12 Michael D. Lemonick August 15th 2012, Huffington Post For scientists who worry about climate change, cities are just plain annoying. The acres of asphalt that cover roads and parking lots and roofs absorb enormous amounts of heat. In the summer, whirring air conditioners channel even more heat out of buildings and into the air. Climate scientists have to subtract this so-called urban heat island effect from their calculations if they want to get a true picture of how greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet. The danger is especially great when nighttime temperatures remain high, which keeps the body from recovering after a scorching day. Unfortunately, the urban heat island effect affects nighttime temperatures the most: that’s when all the heat absorbed by the roads and buildings is re-released.
Heat Islands Cities act as urban heat islands—distorts climate research Lemonick 12 Michael D. Lemonick August 15th 2012, Huffington Post For scientists who worry about climate change, cities are just plain annoying. The acres of asphalt that cover roads and parking lots and roofs absorb enormous amounts of heat. In the summer, whirring air conditioners channel even more heat out of buildings and into the air. Climate scientists have to subtract this so-called urban heat island effect from their calculations if they want to get a true picture of how greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet. The danger is especially great when nighttime temperatures remain high, which keeps the body from recovering after a scorching day. Unfortunately, the urban heat island effect affects nighttime temperatures the most: that’s when all the heat absorbed by the roads and buildings is re-released.
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