A Frog in the Frying Pan: the Heat Island Effect

A Frog in the Frying Pan: the Heat Island Effect in Phoenix

Published Mar. 23, 2011
by Melisa Camp

Most of us are like frogs in a frying pan. We are going to sit, content in the frying pan while the temperature continues to increase. Then, suddenly the line of tolerance is going to be crossed and it is going to start to hurt. The heat island is the same way. The temps in Arizona are steadily increasing yet most of us aren’t bothered by it— yet.

Phoenix is already experiencing rising low temperatures and over time it may never be any cooler that 85 degrees- even at night, according to Mark Wihelm, Principal of Green Ideas. Wihelm, along with 3 other experts presented to an audience of about 100 professionals last week on the effects of the heat island on Phoenix. There are things we can do now to circumvent Phoenix becoming a living hell.

1. Change your roof to white.
If all roofs were white and reflected the light back into space it would have the effect of removing all cars from the roads for 11 years. Admittedly, I would not paint my roof white due to aesthetics, but you can choose cool colored clay tiles. The result is huge; instead of the building collecting and absorbing the heat it will be reflected and the surface cooled, which will also lower utility bills. Go to AZ Cool Roof Council for more information.

2. Plant the right tree in the right place.
Planting a tree improves air quality, saves energy costs, increases property value, helps water/flood control, and promotes livability. Phoenix   currently has 11% of tree coverage and the Master Plan is to increase the canopy to 25% by 2030, according to Richard Adkins, Forestry Supervisor of the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. Adkins also reported that the ROI on trees is $2.23 per $1 spent and also helps business to increase. It is important to be smart about the placement of a tree and remember it is going to grow up and out so avoid planting too close to anything existing around or above the tree. Check out treebenefits.com for more info and to calculate benefitss of planting a tree in your zipcode.

3. Consider a green wall, a living roof, or a garden.
Living Walls conserve energy by insulating the building envelope, reducing the need for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. They create biodiversity conservation opportunities, and absorb and filter storm water, which reduces local water body pollution and helps prevent the overwhelming of municipal storm water infrastructure. Living Walls also filter air particulates, improving air quality and help to reduce the urban heat island effect, as reported by Vertical Green Scapes.
Photo by Jamie Strecker of the President’s Group.