The urban heat island is a phenomenon where urban communities are many degrees hotter than their surrounding rural neighbors. This bubble of hot air can be over 10 degrees hotter, increasing these community’s vulnerability to extreme heat events (temperature above 90-degrees). In the summer of 2020, there have been over 21 days of extreme heat in Worcester with potentially severe health risks and increased energy use. The urban heat island is an environmental ill that is not equitably born; lower income neighborhoods, people of color and English as a second language speakers are disproportionately affected. The unequal distribution of heat in cities is one of many potential environmental injustices that are perpetuated by institutional racist policies like red lining. This Tower Hill Botanical Garden talk on October 7 from 6:30 – 7:30 will examine the causes of the urban heat island effect, examples of environmental injustice in Worcester and potential solutions to create a more environmentally just city. This program will be held virtually. Once you register you will receive a zoom link in the confirmation. This webinar will also be RECORDED and available for 2 months to all registrants.
Nicholas Geron is a PhD student at the Graduate School of Geography at Clark University. After growing up in Newburyport, MA, he taught high school environmental science in New York City for five years where he became interested in urban forestry. He primarily studied the role of urban forests in mitigating the urban heat island effect and addressing environmental injustice. Nick’s research has ranged from street trees in Elm Park, Downtown and Main South neighborhoods to the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, a statewide tree planting effort. He is interested in how trees are framed as infrastructure, habitat, and property by different stakeholders and how the framing of the urban forest affects its maintenance and growth. When Nick is not measuring trees, he enjoys fishing at Coes Reservoir, ultrarunning and playing very amateur hockey.
Tower Hill member fee $10, nonmembers $15. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.
