He Studied How Emissions Are Heating Up U.S. Cities
He Studied How Emissions Are Heating Up U.S. Cities
“Fundamentally, we were trying to learn about these systems to prevent people from dying unnecessarily from heat,” said Kevin Gurney, an atmospheric scientist.
Read the full article on NY Times World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate, focusing on the work of Kevin Gurney and the impact of emissions on urban heat. The article presents a slightly positive view of efforts to understand and mitigate urban heat, but remains largely objective. Minor claims are difficult to verify without more context.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Kevin Gurney is an atmospheric scientist studying systems to prevent deaths from heat.
- Assessment: Unverified, but plausible. The snippet directly quotes Gurney, suggesting this is his stated goal. Without external sources confirming Gurney's work, it remains unverified but likely accurate based on the context.
- Claim: Emissions are heating up U.S. cities.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms the existence of the 'heat island effect' in U.S. cities, leading to higher daytime temperatures.
- Verification Source #4: States that roughly 20% of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions stem from household heating, cooling, and powering, contributing to climate change and potentially exacerbating urban heat.
- Assessment: Supported. Source 3 confirms the heat island effect, and source 4 links household energy use to greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the claim that emissions contribute to urban heating.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 3: 'A review of research studies and data found that in the United States, the heat island effect results in daytime temperatures in urban areas…'
- Source 4: 'Roughly 20% of US energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stem from heating, cooling, and powering households (1).'