Environment & Energy

Judi Lynn

(160,593 posts) Fri Oct 9, 2015, 01:29 AM Oct 2015

Climate Change Raises Danger of Urban Heat Islands

Climate Change Raises Danger of Urban Heat Islands

Posted on Oct 8, 2015
By Tim Radford, Climate News Network

LONDON—However hot the weather gets, it will be worse in the cities—and scientists in the US have just worked out how much worse by measuring the notorious urban heat island effect.

They planted 150 sensors in and around Madison, the Wisconsin state capital, in time for the heatwaves that hit the US in 2012, and found that the city experienced twice as many hours at temperatures above 90° Fahrenheit (32°C) than the surrounding rural areas.

Sealed roads and pavements, bricks, tiles, concrete and slate all absorb heat. But densely-packed cities also generate their own heat—from traffic exhausts, lighting, central heating, and air conditioning.

Greater investment in air conditioning will make things worse, as all the heat inside buildings will be dumped into the streets, adding to the stress.

More:
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/climate_change_raises_danger_for_urban_heat_islands_20151008

3 replies

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Climate Change Raises Danger of Urban Heat Islands (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2015 OP

Air conditioning? JonathanRackham Oct 2015 #1

at 67 years old madokie Oct 2015 #2

As older adults. JonathanRackham Oct 2015 #3

JonathanRackham

(1,604 posts)

1. Air conditioning?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Oct 9, 2015, 02:20 AM

Oct 2015

I grew up with no AC. Went to college with no AC in my dorm. My classrooms had no AC. Worked a lot of jobs with no AC. I love ceiling fans in my house. Is society addicted to AC?

New college dorms have AC. Classrooms have no windows but all have AC.

madokie

(51,076 posts)

2. at 67 years old

Reply to JonathanRackham (Reply #1)

Fri Oct 9, 2015, 02:48 AM

Oct 2015

I can't do without the AC. We have ceiling fans in all rooms except the bathrooms and they run 24/7 spring, summer, fall and winter. We keep the house at 74 to 75 degrees year round.
We use a high efficiency heat pump/air conditioner, good for down to 5 degrees. below 20 degrees we use a pellet stove to help as the heat pump won't quiet keep up.

I grew up without air conditioner and with a wood stove for heat and burned up in the summer and froze in the winter and really don't want to go back to that.

JonathanRackham

(1,604 posts)

3. As older adults.

Reply to madokie (Reply #2)

Fri Oct 9, 2015, 03:11 AM

Oct 2015

As older adults our internal thermostats don't work as well. But I see my kids as being very heat tolerant. If possible we should tough it out, but I fully understand how our bodies change.

FWIW I still chop wood by hand for supplemental heat. I love chopping wood on a clear winter day. The dry air and exercise help blow the snot out of my lungs.

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