Population-Based Disparities in U.S. Urban Heat Exposure from 2003 to 2018
1Department of Geography, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Communities of color face higher urban heat exposure than White populations. This study reveals a significant thermal disparity, with residential segregation exacerbating urban heat island intensity over time.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Climatology
- Environmental Justice
Background:
- Previous studies indicate elevated urban temperatures for communities of color in the U.S.
- Existing research often relies on cross-sectional data, providing limited temporal insights.
- Urban heat islands (UHI) disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze thermal exposure across different racial/ethnic census tracts (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian) from 2003-2018.
- To investigate the temporal trends of surface urban heat island (SUHI) intensity.
- To assess the impact of population composition and residential segregation on thermal inequity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized surface urban heat island (SUHI) intensity data and U.S. Census 2020 population counts for the 200 most populous U.S. cities.
- Employed a Bayesian hierarchical spatial temporal modeling framework to analyze population group percentages and residential segregation effects.
- Compared thermal exposure between census tracts pre-identified as predominantly White, Black, Hispanic, or Asian.
Main Results:
- Communities of color experienced 1.25 K to 2.00 K higher average thermal exposure than White prevalent areas.
- SUHI intensity increased significantly over time in White and Black prevalent tracts, with an overall average increase of 0.01 K per year.
- Increased percentages of Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations correlated with higher SUHI intensity, while White population increases showed a decrease; residential segregation positively associated with SUHI intensity.
Conclusions:
- Significant thermal disparities persist, with communities of color facing greater heat exposure.
- Residential segregation is a key factor contributing to increased urban heat island intensity.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address environmental and climate justice concerns.
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