As scientists around the globe seek the best ways to combat the dire effects of global warming, research continues to point back to one easy solution: planting more trees. Trees help reduce temperatures, maintain steady humidity, and hold the soil together through high erosion in urban environments.
Not surprisingly, trees continue to beat out the most high-tech solutions to help lower temperatures without introducing any additional harmful pollutants into the environment. Here’s how trees can save lives in overheating urban centers
Global Temperatures on the Rise
The effects of global warming can be felt across cities around the world. Heat waves have become more common, resulting in added stress to health and electrical systems in most communities. The rising temperatures can’t be ignored, as the demand for more cooling drives energy consumption. Additionally, many urban areas lack vegetation, leaving nothing to provide shading and evaporative cooling.
Heat Islands
Exacerbating this issue is the urban phenomenon called heat islands. Heat islands form in cities for many reasons. For example, areas adjacent to reflective buildings can get scorching hot during the day as the sun refracts and is focused. Additionally, different urban materials, like those used in the construction of streets and buildings, transfer heat energy differently.
Heat islands can be dangerous as they create hotspots that require additional resources to prevent dangerous temperatures. These areas can feel hotter thanks to the combination of humanity and heat. Notably, these readings are also used to determine the heat index, which helps you understand why a day may feel like it’s 100 degrees when, in reality, it’s 90.
The heat index is unique because it’s one of the first indexes that integrated human comfort levels into the equation. Now, using advanced computer algorithms, this research has been taken much further and applied to the city-wide level.
Heatwaves Study – How Trees Can Save Lives
Notably, a team of engineers from UT Jackson School of Geosciences just released one of the most in-depth studies ever conducted into the impacts of heatwaves on the well-being of urban populations. The report is unique in many aspects, including using proprietary computer models to integrate new aspects of the equation. Specifically, the study delves into the human side of the climate issue, how it affects different areas and social classes of a city, and what can be done at a community level to mitigate the negative effects.
Source – Fung
The engineers integrated a wide variety of data to accurately gauge the effects of having the sun beating down on you throughout your work week. Specifically, the thermal comfort index was created by cross-referencing temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and mean radiant temperatures. Engineers then integrated other models including the Weather Research and Forecasting model.
Social Vulnerability Index
The engineers took the environmental data and combined it with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social vulnerability index. This data allowed the new algorithm to demonstrate how different parts of a city experience heat islands throughout the day. It integrated vital aspects of the socioeconomic equation such as poverty level, household composition, income level, housing type, community crime rate, and access to amenities like travel. It also takes into account age, race, and health. With over 2,300 people dying in the U.S. during 2023 due to heat exposures, such insights are crucial to prevent the loss of life.
Heatwave Research Test
The researchers tested their theory utilizing Houston, Texas. Houston was ideal for the testing phase as it experiences a high level of heat waves and is a sprawling urban environment with many different communities and environmental conditions. Additionally, the city is made up of varying demographic and economic classes, which allowed researchers to further their data regarding the effects of heatwaves based on your community. The study then provided some possible remedies and monitored their effects.
1. Painting Roofs
Painting your roof white is a time-tested method of reducing heat absorption in your building. It works by reflecting sun rays away from the building. This method has been in use for centuries and is still very popular today. It’s affordable and does not require any additional material aside from paint to accomplish.
The downside of painting roofs is that it can require a lot of maintenance as the paint can wear off in a few years. Additionally, the effectiveness of the paint will be highly dependent on if the roof is clean, as a dirty roof would not be able to reflect light at the same intensity.
Another downside to painting the roof white is that it’s not as environmentally friendly as using a natural remedy. Paint chips and residue harm the local community and can end up in the water supply.
2. Planting Vegetation
Another traditional method of keeping buildings cool that has reemerged is rooftop vegetation. This method of cooling a building uses the natural shading qualities of leaves and the circulating water within plants to drop temperatures on rooftops. Rooftop gardens are a perfect example of how this strategy can provide a lot of benefits.
3. Planting Trees
Planting trees in an area is one of the easiest and most effective long-term methods for mitigating heat waves. Studies show that trees in urban environments work to cool the region faster. This cooling effect occurs because urban trees reduce the mean radiant temperature in their vicinity, providing free and effective long-term temperature control.
Heatwave Study Results – How Trees Can Save Lives
The engineers were able to make some interesting findings using their new computational algorithm. They first noted that the new physics-based computer modeling framework is capable of conducting city-scale simulations to determine how, and why heart islands form in the city, their effect on the community, and how a city’s physical structure and demographic composition could help to determine which of the three approaches works best.
Low Vulnerabilities
In low-vulnerability communities in Houston, the team determined that painting roofs white led to the biggest decrease in discomfort and most effective results. The painted rooftops exhibited the largest temperature protection during peak sun hours of the day. It did nothing during the night.
Higher Vulnerabilities
In areas of Houston that experienced heat islands frequently, planting trees was a better option. The study found that these areas have more available land to plant trees, enabling them to be utilized on a larger scale to regulate temperatures. Urban trees help to reduce heat and have been found to improve moods. Additionally, evapotranspiration-induced cooling and tree shading substantially reduce the effects of solar radiation.
Benefits – How Trees Can Save Lives
The results of the heat waves study provide many benefits to the market. For one, it will help city planners to create more favorable and comfortable cities in the future. These locations will be places where people can live healthier and longer lives. Here are some additional benefits to this research.
Reduced Energy Consumption
The study will help city planners figure out ways to reduce energy consumption. As temperatures rise, air conditioner usage increases. Sadly, these devices create an endless loop as they create pollutants that further drive climate change. The results of the heat wave study and the algorithm the team created could help those in the community gain insight into tackling climate-related energy crisis issues.
Researchers – Trees Can Save Lives
The main researchers for this study include Kwun Yip Fung, Zong-Liang Yang, and Dev Niyogi at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences. These engineers worked with scientists from as far as Spain and Canada to conclude their findings. Now, the team seeks to expand their study to include other cities and the creation of more advanced models.
Companies that Can Benefit from the Heatwave Study
There’s a huge demand for low-energy HVAC solutions globally. Over the last decade, manufacturers have introduced multiple ways to reduce consumption. Today’s units use only a fraction of the amperage of their predecessors. These devices are ideal for use in combination with solar systems and other renewable energy options, further improving efficiency. Here’s one manufacturer that has dedicated effort to reducing the effects and discomfort of heat waves.
Carrier Global Corporation
Florida-based AC manufacturer Carrier (CARR -0.42%) is a world-recognizable name in the HVAC market. The company started providing services in 1902 and is credited with the invention of the modern air conditioning unit. By 1914, the first residential AC units were being installed in homes. Since that time, Carrier has remained at the forefront of technology.
Carrier Global Corporation (CARR -0.42%)
Carriers continued to expand its approach, including adding new products such as smart thermostats to its product line. Additionally, the company has some strategic partnerships in place that enable its clients to qualify for tax credits when they update their cooling systems.
In 2015, the Carrier Global Corporation division was formed This maneuver made it possible for the company to remain focused on HVAC services while other areas of the firm expanded into fire and security equipment. Today, Carrier is one of the strongest HVAC stocks you can hold.
CARR has a market cap of 68.82B and a forward dividend & yield of 0.76. All of these factors make CARR a smart addition to consider as the firm is well-positioned in the market and has a proven track record of success.
Other Approaches to Reducing Heat in Urban Areas
Since the dawn of time, man has sought unique ways to keep his dwellings cooler. Recently, the issue has become more prevalent due to climate change, resulting in more creative approaches. Here are some cool strategies that have the potential to reduce temps.
Adaptive Roof Tiles
Adaptive roof tiles are a new technology that takes advantage of the fact that there is a dire need to fix aging infrastructure. Every building and home will need to replace its roof at some point. Adaptive roof tiles allow homeowners to maximize their next roof repair.
These devices allow the homeowner to elect between heating and cooling. The key to this approach is a thermal-regulated device can be moved to help reduce the amount of heat dissipated. This approach makes sense as it makes repairing aging infrastructure more of an upgrade.
Solar Roof Tiles
Another unique approach is the introduction of solar tiles. These devices are designed to look like regular tiles. However, they operate like solar panels, capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into usable electricity. These systems provide an aesthetically pleasing alternative and can be installed onto most residents and buildings that have traditional tiles. The downside to this approach is that these units are still relatively expensive compared to their traditional solar counterparts.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are another popular method that helps reduce temperatures and regulate the environment. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from the outside during cold months, or transferring heat from the inside during the summer months. The systems use electrical compressors and refrigerants to accomplish this task.
Heat pumps are more expensive than AC units but they provide more savings. On average, a heat pump will save a homeowner around $15k over 15 years versus an AC. Additionally, they have higher efficiency with the average unit having a rating between 13-18 seer.
More Trees Please – How Trees Can Save Lives
There are a lot of different ways that people can help to cool down their environment. Notably, it’s best to consider a hybrid approach that utilizes a combination of low-energy and efficient methods to get the best results. For now, one of the most effective options for those in the city is to start planting trees. They provide the perfect long-term cooling effect without adding to the problem.
Learn about other cool sustainability projects.
