TOEFLリスニング

🎧 リスニング原文

Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands, which are areas in cities that are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. This happens because buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit heat from the sun more than natural landscapes do. For example, asphalt and concrete have low albedo, meaning they reflect less sunlight and absorb more heat. Also, cities have fewer trees and green spaces, which normally provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration. The heat island effect can raise city temperatures by several degrees, especially at night. This leads to increased energy consumption for air conditioning, higher air pollution levels, and even heat-related health issues. To combat this, some cities are adopting green roofs, planting trees along streets, and using lighter-colored materials for pavements. These measures can help reduce the temperature difference and make cities more livable.