Tag

Heat Islands

All articles tagged with #heat islands

science4 hours ago•175 min saved

AI data centers spark heat islands, warming surrounding land by up to 16°F

New research finds hyperscale AI data centers emit heat that raises local surface temperatures by an average of about 3.6°F after they begin operating, with some areas seeing increases up to 16.4°F. The warming effects extend up to 6.2 miles from centers and could affect more than 340 million people worldwide, highlighting an under-researched environmental impact of data-center growth and the need for strategies to mitigate AI infrastructure’s climate footprint.

via CNN|

#ai #climate #data-centers

environment2 years ago•4 min saved

"Using Heat Maps to Identify Urban Heat Islands and Prepare for Extreme Temperatures"

Cities like Oklahoma City are using thermal imaging and citizen scientists to map heat pockets in neighborhoods, aiming to understand and prepare for extreme temperatures driven by climate change. The data collected helps identify areas with high heat stress, such as downtown and affluent neighborhoods, and informs strategies like preserving tree canopy and reclaiming native habitat to cool urban areas. This initiative, supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aims to help cities adapt to extreme heat and protect residents from heat-related illnesses.

via NPR|

#climate-change #community-engagement #environment