Atlanta’s Urban Heat Alters Weather Patterns

Arwen Hernandez
Sociology 202-02 Sills
Current Event #1
Urbanization
August 18, 2006

Article: “Atlanta’s Urban Heat Alters Weather Patterns”
Byline: Staff Writers
Date: August 13, 2006 Sunday
Search Engine: LexisNexis

Summary
The rapid urbanization in Atlanta has caused yet
another environmental problem. Utilizing the National
Weather Service and the Georgia Automated Environmental
Network scientists, Bornstein and Lin, discovered the
afternoon summer thunderstorms are not what they appear.
With the ever growing usage of cement and asphalt, the
temperature has increased by five and sometimes eight
degrees Fahrenheit. The phenomenon now known as a “urban
heat island” has literally caused a shift in the weather
patterns concerning this city. The typical southern summer
afternoon thunderstorms have begun to stray from their
normal appearance in the afternoon. Since asphalt retains
heat, Atlanta is now experiencing repetitive rain storms in
the a.m. through till the afternoon. The increased
rainfall can cause flash flooding. The flash flooding
occurs more often due to the expanse of concrete. The
water simply has no place go. Another negative side effect
is how this abnormal heat effects the plant life. The
farther heat increases the more ozone is allowed into the
environment. Ozone is hazardous to all life, including
ourselves, but it largely interferes with photosynthesis.
Response
The impact is undeniably clear. Urbanization causes
destruction in every aspect of our lives. For example
heat, abnormal rainfall, flooding, health issues, and
hindering plant life. Admittedly, urbanization is a
necessity for the growth and advance of our society. There
must be a compromise. Less concrete and more vegetation
for example would cause the thunderstorms to be less often
and not as dangerous. Trees and vegetation help to keep
the temperature from mounting to high. The effects of
urbanization do not have to be permanent. There is no
reason why some of the areas can’t be, if not rectified,
than at least adapted towards a healthier lifestyle. Just
by planning the building of more with the understanding of
the lay of the land would lessen flash flooding.
Most of the negative effects of urbanization can be
done away with. Planning ahead before expanding and
perhaps having to spend more money would help the society
of the future. Atlanta is not the only city this effects,
it is just the center city for this article. Urbanization
and its hindering capabilities are taking place all over
the world. Today’s society tends to act first and then
begin to deal with the consequences. Just by planning
ahead or learning from their mistakes, a large percentage
would never have had to occur in the first place. Maybe in
another decade or two the reality of urbanization will sink
in and perhaps be avoided in some respects.