Best of: Green spaces are key to reducing the heat says new U of I study

Last summer, temperatures got hotter each week—with heat indexes above 100 degrees and even up to 117 degrees in some areas of Illinois. Usually, we turn to our air conditioners to help cool us down but a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found cities themselves could take meaningful steps to combat the heat waves. 

One of the professors of the study joined us in the studio to share their findings, such as how building more green spaces—such as trees and tall vegetation—can make spaces 20 degrees cooler.

Guests:

Fang Fang
Teaching Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign College of Fine and Applied Arts

A version of this conversation first aired on August 28, 2023.