Urbanization And Megacities Questions
The causes of urban heat islands are primarily attributed to human activities and urbanization. These include the replacement of natural vegetation with concrete and asphalt, the construction of buildings and infrastructure that absorb and retain heat, the generation of waste heat from industries and vehicles, and the lack of green spaces and trees that provide shade and cooling.
The impacts of urban heat islands are numerous and can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. They include increased energy consumption for cooling, higher air conditioning costs, reduced air quality due to the trapping of pollutants, increased heat-related illnesses and mortality rates, and decreased overall comfort and well-being of urban residents. Additionally, urban heat islands can exacerbate the effects of climate change by intensifying heatwaves and contributing to higher temperatures in urban areas compared to surrounding rural regions.