Urban Heat Island Research in Raleigh, NC

Did you know that 2021 was the hottest summer on record? As global temperatures continue to rise, lower income neighborhoods are going to suffer the most from the urban heat island effect. Extreme heat is the number one natural climate related killer.

An urban heat island occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. The difference in temperature between urban and less-developed rural areas has to do with how well the surfaces in each environment absorb and hold heat. Did you know that low income, non-white neighborhoods experience more surface heat? With less trees, more asphalt, lack of green space, the heat is amplified. Many lower to middle income neighborhoods are missing critical natural infrastructure.

Recently, Raleigh has joined the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), The County of Durham, the NC Climate Office, NC Museum of Life and Science, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Activate Good, and others in a community-led campaign to map the hottest parts of the city.

There is a great organization based out of Atlanta called “Urban Heat ATL” and they are on a mission to map Atlanta’s temperature block by block. Check out their website which is super informative and eye-opening!

Want to find ways you to join the conversation to help? Check out the City of Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan!

Follow #UrbanHeatMaps2021 on Instagram to learn more solutions on how we can help fight rising temperatures and advocate for those who feel it the most.

Buyers and sellers in the Triangle have trusted Ashley to help them find their dream home or to sell their current home on their terms. Ashley takes the time to teach her clients on the advantages of green systems and building practices. If you are interested in learning how to use real estate to beat climate change, please visit GreenHomesNC.com or call Ashley at 919-208-0330