Have you ever wondered,What was on the land you lived on before you built your house?? Building a house means a change in land use, that is, Maybe the space you currently inhabitwas once a forest, forest, or grassland.
The shift from vegetation to concrete causes changes in air temperatureOr environmental humidity or even wind. This is known as microclimate change, where typical values of temperature, precipitation and humidity change due to a changing environment.
In reality, Because of urbanization of citiesHeat tends to accumulate during the day, as the city is mainly made up of asphalt or concrete.
¿Have you ever tried to step barefoot on concrete on a sunny day?? The ground or the grass? I wouldn’t recommend stepping on concrete, but if you’ve been there, you’ll probably remember that it was very hot. This material heats up very quickly during the day, unlike grass. The latter, despite higher temperatures, does so to a lesser extent It uses the absorbed energy for evaporation or photosynthesis.
In climatology, a specific name has been given to the effect of warming or warming Occurring in urban areas (cities) in relation to their surrounding areas, it is known as an urban heat island. This effect tends to amplify extreme temperatures in summer, so that the most urbanized and concentrated part of the city becomes the hottest and most uncomfortable area.
Exposure to high temperatures in summer poses a great danger to humans and animals. The effects that a person may be exposed to include: fatigue, insomnia, headache, dehydration, and others. Therefore, it is recommended to protect yourself from the sun by using an umbrella, wearing light-colored natural fiber clothing, and staying hydrated.
But… you might be wondering,How can we prevent cities from becoming such hot spots?? How can we reduce the heat island? Well, trees are one possible answer. Some studies on the effect of vegetation in cities have shown that trees reduce the heat island. It is worth noting here that shrubs and grasses do not have the same cooling effect in urban areas..
So, It is essential that we take care of and protect urban treesOne of the benefits it provides to us is reducing the heat in cities, making them more comfortable to move around and live in. In addition, our pocket can benefit from reducing the electricity consumption of air conditioners or fans that we use to cool ourselves.
* Bachelor of Atmospheric Sciences, Ultraviolet Radiation.
