Rising global temperatures wreak havoc on urban "heat islands"
Most U.S. cities are at risk of experiencing extreme heat thanks to the "urban heat island effect" that's causing cities to warm as much as 50% faster than the rest of the country.
Why it matters: July was the
hottest month ever recorded globally, and it was especially brutal for major metros.
"The extreme heat we’re seeing right now is the result of both climate change and urban development patterns. Cities have to think about the long-term implications of the changing environment."
— Katharine Burgess, vice president of urban resilience at the Urban Land Institute
The big picture: Severe heat wreaks havoc on cities' infrastructure, like electric grids, and presents serious public health risks.
City planners and developers are rethinking urban design to keep buildings and people cool as temperatures rise, according to a new
report by the Urban Land Institute first shared with Axios.
- Extreme heat may be a material risk: Moody's, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global warned that credit ratings could take into account cities' strategies for dealing with climate change. That could significantly impact cities' ability to raise capital and finance projects.
- Midsized U.S. cities can expect about a 1% GDP loss by 2050 due to increased expenses and reduced growth associated with rising temperatures.
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