On the last day of winter, outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Filson to mingle, learn, and share a drink at our March Mappy Hour. This Mappy Hour featured three special cocktails and they somehow managed to represent everything the night was about from the dying winter, the “Wandering Orchard” – a warm, boozy apple cider, to the slowly approaching spring, “Spritzing Forager”, and “Summer in Lapland” which coincided nicely with the night’s discussion on heat.
After some drinks and map inspecting, The Nature Conservancy of NYC kicked things off to discuss the Urban Heat Island effect. Josh Carrera, a TNC staff member, presented on exactly what that means and what TNC is doing to combat this problem.
“New York City is on average 7 degrees hotter than surrounding suburbs.
The Urban Heat Island effect explains why cities are hotter than their surrounding areas. New York City is on average 7 degrees hotter than surrounding suburbs, mostly because all the buildings and asphalt trap heat in. Additionally, vegetation serves as a natural coolant, so cities without a lot of plants or trees are especially hot. Josh showed everyone a map of the hottest and coolest places in NYC — it was easy to pick out Central and Prospect Park as the vegetation living there makes it some of the coolest spots in the city.
With average temperatures expected to rise by 5 to 8 degrees by 2080, the Heat Island effect is especially important to address in urban areas. The Nature Conservancy is hard at work increasing green vegetation on roofs and painting black asphalt roofs white to help reflect more sunlight rather than absorb it. (Think how you would never wear a black shirt on a 90 degree day, you’re definitely reaching for the white one).
Lots of innovation is coming out of cities from around the world. One leader is Louisville, Kentucky which became the first city to release a heat management plan that breaks everything down block by block. By identifying the hottest spots in the city, you can plan which areas need the most vegetation.
It was great hearing what organizations are doing to prepare our city for a hotter world, and the Q&A session even gave practical advice on what you can do to make your apartment building greener (join your co-op!)
Since Spring is officially here next month’s Mappy Hour will be taking place outside – see you there!
Written by Susan Torres. Header photo from NASA.
