Figure 2. Urban heat distribution in Cincinnati, Ohio derived from MODIS satellite imagery.
Elevated temperature from UHIs, particularly during the summer and at night, can negatively affect a community's natural environment and quality of life. One way that higher temperatures of the UHI's can affect air quality is by increasing ozone pollution, commonly known as smog. It was cited previously that an average of 1,000 people die each year due to extreme heat and some of this increase is due to elevated temperatures. UHI can prolong the intensity of the heat and deprive city residents of the cooling that is typically experienced during the night, thus playing a role in the annual death toll. Changes as little as white paint on surfaces can be used to reduce the effects of UHI. The green space addition, roof top gardens, changing building materials can reduce the overall heat load of the urban area, especially when incorporated alongside tree canopy restorations. These strategies can begin to reduce the temperatures and assist in improving the health of those living in urban areas impacted by the temperature increases of the UHI phenomenon.