Satellite images show hot cities
As the UK swelters under its hottest July since records began, satellite images reveal how cities are bearing the brunt of the current heat wave, as well as suffering extremely high levels of pollution. Images from the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) on the European Space Agency's ENVISAT satellite clearly show how both large and smaller cities are noticeably hotter than surrounding areas. At the same time, data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on NASA's Aura satellite highlight the elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in the biggest cities, such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. NO2 is a respiratory inhibitor, which is mainly caused by road traffic and power plants. In stable summer weather, the lack of wind and rain allows it to build up in cities to high levels. 'The latest satellite data shows a perspective on the environment in which we live that can only be obtained from space,' said Dr John Remedios, Head of Earth Observation Science at the University of Leicester. 'It is particularly striking to see the extent of temperature and pollution increases in large cities which have such a detrimental effect on the quality of life in those locations.' The researchers warn that the latest climate change predictions for the UK suggest that the frequency of these periods of extremely high temperatures and NO2 pollution will increase in the future. This raises concerns for the welfare of those who are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures and air pollution, such as the elderly and those with breathing difficulties. Across Europe, a number of people have already died in the current heat wave.
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