Topic: Environment
Researchers from The University of Manchester found that urban canals in Great Britain and Ireland can cool their surroundings by up to 2°C during heat waves. They used a new energy balance model to simulate the thermal behavior of over 2,300 canal sections.
A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications has discovered that urban canals can significantly reduce temperatures during heat waves. The research team from The University of Manchester examined the urban canal network of Great Britain and Ireland and found that canals lower surrounding daytime temperatures by an average of 0.8°C. However, during heat waves, this cooling effect increases to between 1.5°C and 2.3°C.
The researchers used a new energy balance model to simulate the thermal behavior of over 2,300 canal sections across Great Britain and Ireland for an entire year. They found that while canals produce a small warming effect overnight due to water retaining heat longer than surrounding surfaces, this effect is relatively minor compared to the cooling benefits during the day.
The study also assessed how canals affect thermal comfort during hot weather. The researchers' modeling showed that incorporating the cooling effect of canals reduced the number of hours classified as posing moderate heat risk by around 58%, while hours of high heat risk fell by around 74%. In many locations, canals eliminated periods of extreme heat risk altogether.
The findings suggest that urban canals could play a crucial role in helping cities adapt to climate change. The researchers believe that canals, which were originally built to power the Industrial Revolution, could now help reduce heat-related illness and improve well-being by providing access to nature and reducing carbon emissions through active transportation.
Why It Matters
As India experiences increasing heat waves due to climate change, understanding how urban canals can cool cities is crucial for developing effective climate adaptation strategies. This research highlights the potential of urban canals as a tool for mitigating the effects of heat waves in Indian cities.
Key Facts
- Researchers from The University of Manchester found that urban canals in Great Britain and Ireland can cool their surroundings by up to 2°C during heat waves.
- The study examined over 2,300 canal sections across Great Britain and Ireland for an entire year using a new energy balance model.
- Canals lower surrounding daytime temperatures by an average of 0.8°C, but increase this cooling effect to between 1.5°C and 2.3°C during heat waves.
- The study found that incorporating the cooling effect of canals reduced moderate heat risk hours by around 58% and high heat risk hours by around 74%.
Key Terms
- Energy balance model
- A mathematical tool used to simulate the thermal behavior of urban canals.
Implications
As India experiences increasing heat waves due to climate change, understanding how urban canals can cool cities is crucial for developing effective climate adaptation strategies. This research highlights the potential of urban canals as a tool for mitigating the effects of heat waves in Indian cities.
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