Over 40 Million People in the US Live in Urban Heat Islands, Analysis Finds

Over 40 Million People in the US , Live in Urban Heat Islands, Analysis Finds.

Nonprofit research group Climate Central published its findings on July 26, NBC News reports.

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Approximately 41 million people in America reside in areas where city structures raise temperatures by a minimum of 8 degrees Fahrenheit.

These urban heat islands are caused by "buildings, pavement and other materials" that have replaced forests, water and greenery, NBC News reports.

This is due to the fact that more heat is absorbed and retained by city topography.

We’re basically talking about a phenomenon where there’s a measurable increase in urban air temperatures that’s caused by the way the city is built, Kaitlyn Trudeau, a climate scientist with Climate Central, via NBC News.

It’s additional warming that is caused by dark building materials, dark pavement, building heights, population density and lack of green space, Kaitlyn Trudeau, a climate scientist with Climate Central, via NBC News.

Nine major cities that have at least 1 million people affected by the phenomenon include Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego.

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Nine major cities that have at least 1 million people affected by the phenomenon include Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego.

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Nine major cities that have at least 1 million people affected by the phenomenon include Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego.

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In New York, nearly 80% of residents experience warmer temperatures than nonurban environments.

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In Miami, 2% of the population endures temperatures that are 12 degrees Fahrenheit hotter.

According to Kaitlyn Trudeau, a climate scientist with Climate Central, steps that can be taken to cool cities down include planting more greenery, painting roofs and buildings white and using cooling materials for roads and sidewalks.

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According to Kaitlyn Trudeau, a climate scientist with Climate Central, steps that can be taken to cool cities down include planting more greenery, painting roofs and buildings white and using cooling materials for roads and sidewalks.

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According to Kaitlyn Trudeau, a climate scientist with Climate Central, steps that can be taken to cool cities down include planting more greenery, painting roofs and buildings white and using cooling materials for roads and sidewalks.