Cool Houston Project (HARC)
"Like other cities, Houston's urbanized areas are hotter than surrounding rural areas by 6° F to 8° F. - called the Urban Heat Island effect. These higher temperatures contribute to air pollution, higher energy costs, and other quality of life features. Roads, buildings, and other hard surfaces absorb and retain heat leading to surface temperatures 50° to 70° hotter. The removal of trees as the region develops also removes the cooling effects that vegetation provides. Hard surfaces and vegetation loss contribute to flooding and water quality deterioration. Cool Houston! is a program designed to reduce urban temperatures through use of cool technologies - reflective and green roofing, paving with light colored or porous materials, and a greatly expanded forest canopy." [From website July 2006]
Air Quality/Pollution, Heat Island
Texas
