Because of the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI), temperatures in cities can be upwards of 7 degrees hotter than outlying areas during the day. For the most vulnerable Americans who are forced to live and work in cities, the temperature difference creates drastic health and economic impacts. The U.S. government should protect those most impacted by the UHI through investments in urban agriculture and providing direct financial assistance. 

The Urban Heat Island effect is a phenomenon that causes larger urban areas to have higher average temperatures compared to their surroundings. This typically happens because urban areas are built with many low albedo materials (such as asphalt) that absorb heat rather than reflect it. As the energy from the sunlight is absorbed, the city around it warms up. Additionally, cities tend to have less vegetation. Plants provide shade and release moisture into the air to naturally cool the surrounding environment through evapotranspiration; without them, temperatures rise. Other explanations include higher polluting practices in cities (driving, construction, etc.) and tall buildings that block wind flow and heat emissions.  

Ithaca isn’t immune to this phenomenon. Ithaca residents experience higher temperatures than other cities within Tompkins County, likely due to its urban nature and the presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College.

The increase in temperatures has serious health consequences for those exposed to it. Namely, higher temperatures resulting from the UHI effect increase the risk of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cardiorespiratory mortality, kidney diseases, systemic inflammation, and mental illnesses. However, its harms are not evenly distributed. People of color and lower-income individuals are disproportionately exposed to higher temperatures, and thus, the health threats that accompany them. Not only are they more likely to live in urban areas, but certain zones within cities experience higher temperatures due to more low-albedo materials used and less green space. These zones are called “intra-urban” heat islands and tend to be found in lower-income neighborhoods. Research has also found that previously redlined neighborhoods are more likely to be “intra-urban” heat islands. This disparity between neighborhoods of different income levels means that vulnerable communities face compounded health risks, as they are consistently subjected to the highest and most dangerous levels of urban heat exposure, exacerbating existing health inequities and social injustices. 

Beyond health disparities, the UHI effect also creates significant economic burdens and places a financial strain on those who are already vulnerable. Those exposed to higher temperatures have to pay more in air conditioning and medical fees. In fact, medical costs related to heat exposure because of the uneven distribution of the UHI are $1,000 higher for individuals of color living in less affluent communities. The additional toll can be devastating and force sacrifices for the lower-income individuals who are disproportionately exposed to extreme temperatures. 

Because of this phenomenon’s very real and urgent impacts, policymakers must take action to address both its scientific and social aspects. From a scientific perspective, politicians should center on comprehensively addressing the UHI. Policy solutions that promote urban agriculture can help reduce the impacts of higher heat by providing more vegetation that provides shade and releases moisture. Additionally, the US government should consider providing financial assistance to families forced to move out of their neighborhoods due to the UHI to alleviate the burden of moving. 

Simultaneously, policies must reconcile with the inherent social inequalities that infiltrate the UHI by approaching the issue as an environmental justice matter. Currently, such approaches are endangered by the abandonment of the Justice40 initiative. President Joe Biden’s Justice40 initiative pledged to commit 40% of certain environmental investments to target lower-income or minority neighborhoods that are disproportionately exposed to UHI’s climate impacts. President Donald Trump rescinded the executive order that created the Justice40 movement on his first day in office.

Moving forward, with or without the Justice40 program officially in place, policymakers must address climate issues such as the UHI from an injustice standpoint. The stakes are too high to ignore the UHI's growing threat. Investing in urban agriculture and providing direct economic support can mitigate extreme heat while fostering climate resilience. UHI solutions must prioritize justice, ensure historically marginalized communities receive essential resources, and protect their health and economic stability. Immediate action can save lives, reduce inequality, and create a healthier, more equitable future for all.