On top of climate change, millions of Americans live in urban heat islands that push temperatures up

Boise State Public Radio News | By Murphy Woodhouse

Published July 31, 2023 at 12:50 PM MDT

Katherine Morgan wipes sweat from her forehead while walking to work during a record-breaking heat wave in Portland in 2021. Scientists say that heat wave would have been virtually impossible without human caused climate change.

Climate Central has new analysis out showing how many people are impacted by urban heat islands, areas of cities where the built environment raises temperatures relative to surrounding areas. Several Western cities - including Denver and Las Vegas - were included, and the data show that hundreds of thousands of residents are living in areas where temperatures can be 8 degrees or warmer as a result of the heat island effect.

Climate Central has new analysis out showing how many people are impacted by urban heat islands, areas of cities where the built environment raises temperatures relative to surrounding areas. Several Western cities - including Denver and Las Vegas - were included, and the data show that hundreds of thousands of residents are living in areas where temperatures can be 8 degrees or warmer as a result of the heat island effect.