Аудирование TOEFL

🎧 Транскрипт аудио

Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands, a phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. One major cause is the replacement of natural surfaces with asphalt and concrete, which absorb and retain heat. Another factor is the lack of vegetation, since trees provide shade and release moisture through transpiration. Interestingly, the intensity of an urban heat island can vary by season and time of day. For example, it's often more pronounced at night because buildings slowly release the heat they absorbed during the day. Now, some solutions include green roofs, which are covered with plants, and cool pavements that reflect more sunlight. But here's a key point: while these measures help lower temperatures, they also reduce energy consumption for air conditioning, which in turn cuts greenhouse gas emissions. So, addressing urban heat islands is not just about comfort—it's a climate strategy.