Depaving a Parking Lot

Depaving a Parking Lot

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Heat Island Impact

Most likely, you have experienced the sometimes drastic difference in heat levels when moving from a sidewalk to the street.  The street’s asphalt, like other dark building materials and dark paint, soak up and attract more heat.  The heat soaked in from the sunshine is slowly released it into the atmosphere.  Where there is little to no tree canopy, this causes a heat island. In these areas, the temperature is higher due to the heat released by these materials and keeps the temperature higher longer throughout the night.  

For areas with a high percentage of asphalt, the temperature will consistently register higher than other areas of the same city.  With the current below freezing temperatures, that may seem like a nice alternative.  However, it can have a long-term negative impact on air quality and habitat.  It also increases energy use that businesses and others expend to maintain temperatures within buildings.


http://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/2013/01/24/a-heat-island-in-the-amazon/


Depave projects like the effort underway in the Duwamish Valley work to break up these heat islands by tearing up unnecessary asphalt and replacing it with some greenery. These plants and shrubbery spice up and beautify the area while helping the atmosphere and environment cool down and keep our planet a little bit healthier. 

Interested in learning more?  Check out: EPA Heat Island Basics and Vegetation and Urban Heat Islands

Contact us if you want to get involved in the Depave effort! Learn more about the effort here.

No comments:

Post a Comment