Impact on urban dwellers

♤ The increased heat of our cities increases discomfort for everyone

♤ Homes require an increase in the amount of energy used for cooling purposes.

♤ The UHI decreases air quality by increasing the production of pollutants such as ozone, and decreases water quality as warmer waters flow into area streams and put stress on their ecosystems.

♤ Increased heat enhances photochemical reactions, which increases the particles in the air and thus contributes to the formation of smog and clouds. For instance, London receives approximately 270 fewer hours of sunlight than the surrounding countryside due to clouds and smog.