Review of World Urban Heat Islands: Many Linked to Increased Mortality

Abstract

Review of World Urban Heat Islands: Many Linked to Increased MortalityMedical and health researchers have shown that fatalities during heat waves are most commonly due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, primarily from heat's negative effect on the cardiovascular system. In an attempt to control one's internal temperature, the body's natural instinct is to circulate large quantities of blood to the skin. However, to peiform this protective measure against overheating actually harms the body by inducing extra strain on the heart. This excess strain has the potential to trigger a cardiac event in those with chronic health problems, such as the elderly, Cui et al. Frumkin showed that the relationship of mortality and temperature creates a J-shaped function, showing a steeper slope at higher temperatures. Records show that more casualties have resulted from heat waves than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes together. This statistic's significance is that extreme heat events (EHEs) are becoming more frequent, as shown by Stone et al. Their analysis shows a growth trend of EHEs by 0.20 days/year in U.S. cities between 1956 and 2005, with a 95% confidence inten-al and uncertainty of ±0.6. This means that there were 10 more days of extreme heat conditions in 2005 than in 1956. Studies held from 1989 to 2000 in 50 U.S. cities recorded a rise of 5.7% in mortality during heat waves. The research of Schifano et al. revealed that Rome's elderly population endures a higher mortality rate during heat waves, at 8% excess for the 65-74 age group and 15% for above 74. Even more staggering is findings ofDousset et al. on French cities during the 2003 heat wave. Small towns saw an average excess mortality rate of 40%, while Paris witnessed an increase of 141%. During this period, a 0.5 °C increase above the average minimum nighttime temperature doubled the risk of death in the elderly. Heat-related illnesses and mortality rates have slightly decreased since 1980, regardless of the increase in temperatures. Statistics from the U.S. Census state that the U.S. population without air conditioning saw a drop of 32% from 1978 to 2005, resting at 15%. Despite the increase in air conditioning use, a study done by Kalkstein through 2007 proved that the shielding effects of air conditioning reached their terminal effect in the mid-1990s. Kan et al. hypothesize in their study of Shanghai that the significant difference in fatalities from the 1998 and 2003 heat waves was due to the increase in use of air conditioning. Protective factors have mitigated the danger of heat on those vulnerable to it, however projecting foi-ward the heat increment related to sprawl may exceed physiologic adaptation thresholds. It has been studied and reported that urban heat islands (UHI) exist in the following world cities and their countries and/or states: and Delhi, India. The strongest being Shanghai, Bangkok, Beijing,10, and 12 °C, respectively. Of the above world cities. Hong Kong, Bangkok, Delhi, Bangladesh, London, Kyoto, Osaka, and Berlin have be...

Impact of future urbanization on temperature and thermal comfort index in a developing tropical city: Ho Chi Minh City

“…It is well known that there is a strong relationship between the increase of temperature and the emergence of heat-related illnesses, e.g., heat stress and mortalities, in cities (Patz et al, 2005;Wong et al, 2013). Although there is no any investigation addressing this issue for Ho Chi Minh City, another study on Da Nang, another major city in Vietnam, showed that hot air temperature causes heat stress and other health issues, especially in the outdoor environment (Dao et al, 2013).…”

Urban vegetation and heat-related mortality in Seoul, Korea

“…Given anticipated increases in temperature from overall global warming and urbanization, understanding the health impacts of weather under a changing climate and determinants of these associations is critical to protect public health. Previous findings have shown that urban areas are particularly vulnerable to heat-related health outcomes due to the urban heat island effect (Burkart et al, 2014; Kovats and Koppe, 2005; Tan et al, 2010; Wong et al, 2013). The urban heat island effect results in temperatures that are higher in urban areas than in surrounding rural or suburban areas and could exacerbate the effects of weather under global climate change.…”

Recommendations for Energy Water Nexus Problems

“…That such seasonal flash floods would become more recursive and severe as global warming pro gresses, followed by severe seasonal water shortages due to lower volume flows downstream of the Himalayas, require solutions which are more permanent than mud dams. Climate change and its effects have been studied by Wong and researchers [21][22][23][24], According to Vidal [25], India plans for 292 dams on rivers ris ing in the Himalayas. Vidal stated that India, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan are in a "water grab" in the Himalayas, as they look for new sources of electricity to power their economies.…”