News Summary
Columbia, S.C. is responding to increasing summer temperatures worsened by the urban heat island effect with a new initiative. This includes installing smart surfaces on roads and sidewalks, along with planting 1,750 trees over five years. The program aims to reduce heat retention and is supported by an $8.7 million EPA grant. City officials emphasize the importance of enhancing green spaces and using reflective materials to improve public health and fight climate change.
Columbia, S.C. Launches Initiative to Combat Urban Heat Island Effect
Columbia, S.C. is taking significant steps to address the rising summer temperatures exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. City officials have announced an initiative that includes the installation of smart surfaces on roads and sidewalks and a substantial tree planting campaign, all aimed at reducing the heat retention caused by urban infrastructure.
The urban heat island effect results when buildings, roads, and sidewalks absorb and retain heat, making urban areas significantly warmer than rural areas. A local resident described the sensation of the heat as similar to “sticking your head into a 350-degree oven,” illustrating the serious nature of the temperatures being experienced.
The city plans to implement smart surface technologies that reflect heat rather than absorb it, aiming to combat the heat sink effect associated with conventional dark asphalt and building materials. Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy emphasized the necessity for reflective pavement surfaces and coatings to alleviate excessive heat in urban areas.
This initiative is supported by an $8.7 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which was awarded to the Central Midlands Council of Governments. The grant will also fund a solar farm project at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which is expected to launch first due to the imminent expiration of federal solar development incentives.
Approximately $1 million from this grant has been earmarked specifically for the smart surfaces initiative. The city is also looking to supplement this funding through the Richland County Transportation Penny Tax. However, careful planning is necessary to ensure that smart surfaces are applied after road resurfacing, and the city will evaluate road conditions prior to the application of coatings.
City officials are currently finalizing a list of roads that will receive these cool coatings, with the project expected to commence in about a year as funding becomes available. Together, these smart surface applications and the solar farm aim to significantly decrease urban heat and lower emissions across the city.
A recent study conducted by the University of South Carolina revealed that Columbia’s temperatures can vary by approximately 10 degrees between areas with tree canopies and those affected by heat islands. Notably, the city has lost nearly 25% of its tree canopy from 2005 to 2019 due to urban development, which has prompted officials to take action.
In response to this significant loss, Columbia is launching the “Beat the Heat – Plant a Tree” campaign which aims to distribute 1,750 trees over five years, ensuring that more trees are planted than removed. This campaign encourages community involvement, highlighting the many advantages of tree planting, such as reducing air conditioning costs by 10-50%.
City officials are firmly committed to tackling urban heat as a critical part of addressing climate change and enhancing public health. Initiatives like expanding tree canopies, utilizing reflective roofs, and growing green spaces are all part of the city’s multifaceted approach to mitigate the adverse effects of urban heat in Columbia.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Columbia Launches Initiative to Combat Urban Heat Island Effect
- WACH: Columbia’s Plan to Mitigate Urban Heat Island
- WLTX: Understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Heat Island Effect
- WACH: Columbia’s Urban Heat Island Study Results
- Google Search: Urban Heat Island
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