Climate change and the urban heat island

Emeritus Professor of the Built Environment, the University of Manchester, UK. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Urban areas experience elevated temperatures compared to surrounding rural regions due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which amplifies the impacts of global climate change. This paper analyzes the relationship between rising atmospheric CO₂ levels, global temperature increase, and UHI intensity, focusing on Manchester, UK. Historical data from ice cores, meteorological records, and urban temperature measurements are used to quantify UHI trends and evaluate factors such as urbanization, wind speed, and cloud cover. The study highlights the influence of socioeconomic factors on carbon emissions and emphasizes climate justice in mitigation strategies. Results indicate that UHI in Manchester peaks at approximately 3– 4 °C above surrounding rural areas, with seasonal variations reaching up to 5 °C during summer nights, highlighting the urgent need for urban mitigation strategies such as increased vegetation, reflective surfaces, and adaptive building design. Accelerated policy action, technological advances, and renewable energy adoption are essential to limit further temperature increases in urban environments.