Posts Tagged ‘heat-island effect’

August 18, 2010

Raising Awareness is a Key First Step towards Restoring the Urban Forest in Phoenix

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet This is the third installment of a month-long Wednesday series on The Phoenix Tree and Shade Master Plan. Part I was all about what an urban forest is and Part II, last Wednesday, was about the multiple benefits of a healthy urban forest. Today I’m going to talk about the first step that the Master Plan has outlined towards restoring the urban forest. This is the vision of the Master Plan for the year 2030: By 2030, the view from the northern ridge lines of South Mountain to the desert washes of the Sonoran Preserve reveals the urban forest…

August 11, 2010

Trees Improve Social Connections, Who Knew?

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Today is the second installation in a month-long Wednesday series on The Phoenix Tree and Shade Master Plan. Last week I talked about the concept of the Urban Forest and why it’s important. Today I’m going to try to address this notion quoted in the Master Plan: “(The) General public has a limited understanding of the importance of trees.” This may be why most people have no idea or don’t care that our Phoenix urban forest is being destroyed slowly. Planting trees is not in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to improving livability. Here’s why trees…

March 17, 2010

Shade the Rocks to Cool the House

by: Doreen Pollack

Tweet Today, guest blogger Doreen Pollack talks about something we rarely think about and that’s shading our rocks and paved areas. She tells us why this is important and how it contributes to reducing our city-wide heat-island problem and how it can keep your own house cool. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Doreen Pollack is the Garden Goddess and owner of Down 2 Earth Gardens, providing garden consultations and coaching. Get gardening tips at monthly workshops, on her blog or newsletter. Visit www.down2earthgardens.com to learn more. Driveways, sidewalks, paved patios, and rock yards retain heat longer than planted areas after the sun goes down….

February 22, 2010

Why you need a Metal Roof if you live in Phoenix

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Metal roofs are one of my favorite roofs because aesthetically-speaking they are so beautiful. But whether you agree with me or not about the beauty of a metal roof, there are a few other great qualities of a metal roof I’d like you to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your roof. The Heat-Island Effect We all know that we have a terrible problem with the Heat-Island effect here in Phoenix. It occurs in cities with large areas of paved surfaces, including dark absorbent roofs that absorb heat during the day and emit it back into the atmosphere, making…