{"id":138682,"date":"2025-08-12T03:54:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T03:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/138682\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T03:54:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T03:54:17","slug":"a-look-at-the-urban-heat-island-effect-and-solutions-to-cool-the-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/138682\/","title":{"rendered":"A look at the urban heat island effect and solutions to cool the Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2014 Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures<\/a>, the Environmental Protection Agency warns.<\/p>\n

Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. <\/p>\n

Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the “urban heat island” effect.<\/p>\n

The temperature may even vary greatly<\/a> between one location and another nearby. <\/p>\n

Cities have been taking action, especially in recent years<\/a>, to cool down the atmosphere during the summer months with things like water features, shade, reflective surfaces, “cool pavement,<\/a>” or vegetation. <\/p>\n

You can help keep our city a little cooler, too. The City of Phoenix is taking applications for its free Tree Canopy program<\/a>. They will begin planting trees in October, so they need people to apply now.<\/p>\n

Hear more about urban heat islands and solutions to cool the Valley in the video player above.<\/b> <\/p>\n

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