Strategies to reduce the impacts of urban heat islands

Question 1

By 2050, how many people could face average summer temperatures of what temperature?

Answer 1

1.6 billion people at 35*C+

Question 2

How many deaths did the 2003 heatwave cause?

Answer 2

70,000

Question 3

How can cities be designed to reduce heat? (4 things)

Answer 3

1. More reflective surfaces
2. Open waterways (bring in fresh, cool water)
3. Green space and roofs (higher albedo)
4. Cool areas with warm stuffy air (ie undergrounds)

Question 4

What can individuals do to reduce the impacts of heat? (4 things)

Answer 4

1. Drink water
2. Air con
3. Close the blinds
4. Open windows

Question 5

How much can the planting of trees reduce temperatures?

Answer 5

8-12*C

Question 6

How much can shade structures (umbrella canopies, vegetation etc) reduce temperatures?

Answer 6

6-10*C

Question 7

How do green roofs and walls reduce temperature?

Answer 7

Transpiration, insulation, increase albedo

Question 8

How many green roofs does Chicago have?

Answer 8

Over 500

Question 9

How do heat reducing roofs in Delhi work?

Answer 9

Made of paper waste and coconut husks but still waterproof
Cheap and easy to install
Reduce temperature by 6*C

Question 10

What have Philadelphia done to manage heat?

Answer 10

Designed a set of indicators to identify most at risk residents

Question 11

How does this help?

Answer 11

Enables community organisations to provide targeted information on how to cope

Question 12

What happened in 1994 in Seoul?

Answer 12

Heat wave – South Korea’s worst ever meteorological disaster