More than 5 million people in major US cities live in environments capable of amplifying summer temperatures by at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a Climate Central analysis. These areas, known as urban heat islands, are characterized by factors like building and paving materials, population density, and lack of greenspace, which can significantly increase local temperatures.
The analysis, encompassing 65 US cities, highlights the increasing vulnerability of residents to heat-related health risks as climate change continues to drive up global temperatures. For 145,000 people residing in the most extreme urban heat islands, the local built environment can push temperatures even higher, by 12 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Climate Central’s analysis, conducted at the census block group level (typically fractions of neighborhoods), identified areas within 19 cities where these heat island effects are most pronounced. However, the influence of urban heat islands is widespread. Nearly 34 million people, representing 68% of the population within the analyzed cities, live in environments capable of boosting temperatures by at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
The analysis also extends beyond city limits, examining the impacts of urban heat islands at the census tract level, typically encompassing multiple block groups.
“Urban heat islands already expose residents to disproportionate heat risks and cooling costs, which will only climb as long as carbon pollution drives up global temperatures,” said [Name of Climate Central’s Senior Data Analyst]. “Until cities take action to cool these areas, people who live there will face the worst impacts of climate change.”
The ten US cities in the Climate Central analysis exhibiting the most significant citywide urban heat island effects (in degrees Fahrenheit) include: [List of Cities with Temperature Increases].
A comprehensive summary of findings, methodology, map graphics for all 65 cities analyzed, and data at the census block group level are available on the Climate Central website at [Website Link]. All data, including census tract-level data and mapping capacity for all locations in the contiguous US, can be accessed through [Data Access Link].
Climate Central is a non-advocacy, non-profit science and news organization dedicated to providing authoritative information to support informed decision-making on climate and energy issues.
