It’s been a hot summer in the Delaware Valley, but the extreme heat varies greatly depending on your zip code, even within the City of Philadelphia. It’s about the proportion of concrete and asphalt, which absorb and radiate heat, compared to trees that provide shade and green spaces. Lower-income neighborhoods in the city have less tree coverage and are therefore warmer. Hunting Park is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Philly, with only 3% tree cover – an “urban heat island” – compared to 60% in Chestnut Hill, and it could be 15 to 20 degrees warmer. .
Extreme heat and humidity are a serious health threat and more people die from heat-related causes than any other weather hazard. With climate change driving up temperatures, what can cities do to stay cool? Today, we will talk about urban heat islands, the role of trees and other cooling ideas and environmental justice issues.
Guests:
Ivana GonzálezCommunity Outreach Associate at Esperanza, managing the organization’s green initiative
Erica Smith FichmanCommunity Forestry Manager at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and project lead on the Philly Tree Plan
Kurt SchickmanDirector of Extreme Heat Initiatives at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
Sophia SchmidtWHYY’s PlanPhilly environment reporter
We recommend
Why, Philly citizen scientists gather heat and air quality data in hopes of a ‘more livable’ city “As the two drive, a white sensor attached to Martin’s car window measures temperature and humidity every second . Another sensor records the concentration of small particles that affect people’s lungs and heart.”
CNN, These cities are better able to withstand extreme heat. Here’s what they do differently “For those who don’t have time to take a dip in the Danube, the city offers cooling parks with mist-spraying “trees” that people can “bath” in , or just sit close by to enjoy the cooler temperatures they bring to their surroundings.”
The Philadelphia InquirerWhy Philly’s trees cast more shade on the wealthier “There are fewer trees where there is more poverty, more renters, and a higher population.”
