Heat waves in Central New York and across Upstate are becoming increasingly more frequent and intense, and this summer has been no exception. But the heat hits disadvantaged communities especially hard, so a SUNY ESF professor is partnering with the state to identify and map what are called urban heat islands. While talking with WAER News, Professor Ted Endreny points out a heat island to the west of his building’s third floor window.
“So right here we see a white roof and it's on our building," Endreny said. "And then beyond that you can see a parking lot that's alongside the Centennial Hall residence. And these are both the roof and the parking lot are typical places that overheat during a hot day.”
Endreny says the white roof reflects the sun's radiation, but the dark gray parking lot beyond the building absorbs the heat, making the air hotter than other areas.
“And those urban heat islands are predominantly along roadways and we have found in lower income areas where there has not been as much tree cover or water.”
By contrast, urban cool islands have trees and natural or man-made water features, like the new splash pad unveiled this week on the city's north side.
Endreny says his study will analyze 10 years of historical temperature data and then compile heat wave data for the next 10 years.
"With that we can use an objective, systematic way of determining which communities in New York are the most exposed," Endreny said. "And combining that with census data, we will be able to see how vulnerable are those communities. If those communities tend to be older, have less income, perhaps less educated.”
They also might not have air conditioning. Endreny says nature-based mitigation strategies are most effective, including planting trees. He says they naturally cool the air by releasing water vapor as they block the sun’s heat. SUNY ESF was awarded a $2 million grant for the study, in partnership with the state DEC.
