托福听力

🎧 听力原文

Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands. As you know, cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is due to several factors. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat during the day, releasing it slowly at night. Second, buildings block wind, reducing natural cooling. Third, waste heat from vehicles and air conditioners adds to the warmth. But there are solutions. Planting trees and creating green roofs can provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration. Also, using reflective materials on roofs and pavements can reduce heat absorption. Some cities have implemented cool pavement programs, painting roads with light-colored coatings. These measures not only lower temperatures but also reduce energy consumption for cooling, which in turn cuts greenhouse gas emissions. However, effective implementation requires careful planning and community support. So, while the urban heat island effect is a serious issue, it's not insurmountable.