- The study conducted by NIT Trichy has identified that there is a significantly higher concentration of pollutants in the urban areas compared to the rural areas.
- Aerosols, Carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) has directly impacted the UHI phenomenon.
About Urban Heat Island (UHI)
- It occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas.
- The urban heat-island effect can raise temperatures by 5°C to 10°C, exacerbating heat waves.
- Causes:
- Reduced Natural Landscapes in Urban Areas: Hard, dry surfaces in urban areas, such as roofs, sidewalks, roads, buildings, and parking lots, etc.
- Urban Geometry: surfaces and structures obstructed by neighboring buildings become large thermal masses that cannot release their heat readily.
- Heat Generated from Human Activities: Vehicles, air-conditioning units, and industrial facilities, etc
Impact of UHI
- Higher energy consumption: e.g., increased demand for air conditioning to cool buildings.
- Health: respiratory problems, sunstroke, dehydration, tiredness, etc.
Way Forward
- Use of high albedo (fraction of light that is reflected by a body or surface) and cool surface materials can reduce the impact of UHI.
- Further,Urban greenery, green roofs/surfaces, etc can also reduce its impact.