Understanding Heat Islands: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions in Mexican Cities

2023-06-30 03:43:46

When traveling from one point to another in a city like the Mexican capital, it is possible that a strong change in temperature is perceived, with areas where the thermometer marks more degrees. This atmospheric phenomenon is known as “islands of heat”.

Although they have existed for more than two centuries and their in-depth study dates from the mid-20th century to date, interest has recently increased in knowing what they are and their repercussions following the growth of cities and the proliferation of heat waveslike the one that recently occurred throughout the Mexican territory and might happen once more in the coming weeks, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), only 10 of the 50 cities from the Latin American country have studies on heat islands; they are mostly located in the center and north of the Republic.

“Heat islands are purely urban atmospheric phenomena that occur due to the way in which cities are built and the materials used for them. That is, the dark pavement, the walls, glass, are just examples of elements that they absorb heat,” explains Dr. Elda Luyando López, a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), in an interview for Sputnik.

Another factor that promotes this phenomenon is the scarcity of trees and vegetation. “By having heat absorbing materials and green areas, solar radiation impacts on [esos elementos] and, when the sun goes down, in rural areas this dissipates quickly, but this is not the case in cities,” he points out.

Added to this are clear skies, high solar radiation and calm and hot winds.

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In the case of Mexico, the city most affected by heat islands is the Mexico Citydue to their 1,485 square kilometers of extension. These occur temporarily and are more prevalent in the months without rain.

“[En las mañanas] there is a difference between the city and the countryside, but in Mexico City it has been possible to detect up to nine to 10 degrees Celsius between the center of the [capital mexicana] and the periphery. This occurs in a timely manner, at certain hours of the day and at specific times of the year. Sometimes they appear around noon, but they are much less intense, with a difference of two to three degrees Celsius compared to rural areas,” says the specialist.

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convergences and consequences

Sometimes, heat islands are combined with other phenomena, such as high levels of air pollutionenvironmental contingencies and heat waves.

“With the heat wave, heat of a synoptic nature comes, that is, atmospherically broader and, in addition, you add the heat trapped by the heat island, you have a set of phenomena that contribute to the fact that the inhabitants of the cities are more uncomfortable”, deepens the expert.

Although heat islands by themselves do not cause disease or any sequelae, they do bring together a series of factors that are relevant in the short and long term, the researcher points out.

“They can wreak havoc on the population, especially the most vulnerable [por edad o enfermedades] and it contributes to the fact that, for example, at night the buildings do not get cold and that, in addition to feeling hot, we cannot always open the window. In the cases of people [con comorbilidades]by not resting, you can worsen your state of health,” he says.

Another consequence is the increase in electricity and water consumption by the population.

“It’s a cascade of consequences. For example, if you open your window and there’s not enough [viento fresco] you connect your fan or air conditioning and you are consuming electricity. everyone does the same, so the demand [del servicio] is much older. In Mexico it still does not happen, but we have observed in other cities that [por esta causa, ya no hubiera electricidad]” says Luyando Lopez.

“In addition to water, there is another demand: that of health services, because people begin to get sick to their stomachs or respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. [se agravan]”he adds.

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Possible solutions

The researcher at the UNAM’s Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change points out that they should devise comprehensive projects to mitigate the effects of heat islands, such as tree protection programs that are still planted and encourage reforestation with species that are friendly to each city.

“Another solution is to paint the ceilings in light colors and, if there is a way for them to exist, place fountains (…). One more is [buscar] nature-friendly pavements, not the black one, which all it does is absorb much more heat and, at night, slowly releases it and warms the environment”, he exposes, while proposing the use of cobblestones that, In addition to avoiding high temperatures, they promote the infiltration of water into the aquifers.

“A lot of money and strategy are needed. We can imagine planting trees and more, but is it viable? No, because there are no financial or planned possibilities and, if we do it right off the bat, you hit other areas in the tower and species”, concludes

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