What is Heat Island and What is Being Done About Them?

New Jersey Spotlight News Anchor Briana Vannozzi interviewed Jennifer Ward Souder, a Project Manager for the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR). Ms. Souder discussed the growing impact of the urban heat island effect across New Jersey, where densely built environments with extensive pavement and roofing absorb and retain heat, leading to higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This phenomenon disproportionately affects overburdened communities such as Newark, Paterson, Trenton, and Camden, where residents already face environmental and public health challenges. Elevated temperatures increase energy demand for cooling, strain the power grid, and contribute to air pollution, while also posing serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations without access to air conditioning or with preexisting conditions.