Neighborhoods with more trees and green space stay cooler, while those coated with layers of asphalt swelter. Lower-income neighborhoods tend to be hottest, a city report found, and they have the least tree canopy.

The same is true in cities across the country, where poor and minority neighborhoods disproportionately suffer the consequences of rising temperatures. Research shows the temperatures in a single city, from Portland, Oregon, to Baltimore, can vary by up to 20 degrees. For a resident in a leafy suburb, a steamy summer day may feel uncomfortable. But for their friend a few neighborhoods over, it’s more than uncomfortable — it’s dangerous.

  • Altima NEO
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    10 months ago

    I don’t understand why city planners love barren plains of asphalt. Throw some greenery in there. Parking lots are so depressing.

    • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Every parking lot in the world should be covered in solar for charging. Break it up with large trees too.

      They’re already ugly. Make them useful.

        • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          unfortunately there are lots of places where you can’t run light rail and busses efficiently - places like montana or utah, the population isn’t dense enough. certainly agree wherever possible tho, tired of living in this autotopia shithole