EPA's Heat Island Reduction Program to Host Webcast

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Heat Island Reduction Program will host a webcast, “Keeping Your Cool: How Communities Across the Country are Reducing the Heat Island Effect,” on Thursday, June 26, 2014, from 1-2:30 p.m. EDT

The term "heat island" refers to built-up areas that are hotter than nearby rural areas. The heat island effect can negatively affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality.

As the 2014 summer heats up, learn how communities are taking a number of common-sense steps to reduce the effects of summertime heat islands. This webcast, featuring presentations and case studies from the EPA and local governments, will give participants a better understanding of the heat island effect, its impacts, and the strategies that communities can take to reduce urban temperatures. It will feature case studies from across the country, showcasing the actions that communities are taking now to reduce the heat island effect, including cool roof ordinances, tree-planting campaigns and heat management planning.

Source: EPA