As urban planners look to expand green spaces to help cool cities, a new study finds that, in arid regions, grassy areas can actually have a warming effect.
As urban planners look to expand green spaces to help cool cities, a new study finds that, in arid regions, grassy areas can actually have a warming effect.
Analyzing satellite data from more than 700 large cities around the world, researchers found that green areas are generally cooler, but not always. In 22 percent of cities, grassy areas are actually warmer than built-up areas. These cities tend to be in regions that see less than 40 inches of rain yearly.
Plants help cool cities by soaking up water from the ground and releasing it through their pores. Just as when humans sweat, water evaporates, with a cooling effect.
Read More: Yale Environment 360
Photo Credit: BulgarianF via Pixabay
