TOEFL Listening

🎧 Listening Transcript

Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon known as 'urban heat islands.' Essentially, cities tend to be warmer than the surrounding rural areas. Why is that? Well, there are several factors. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat from the sun much more than vegetation does. Second, buildings and roads block wind, reducing natural cooling. Third, human activities like driving cars and running air conditioners generate waste heat. But here's an interesting twist: not all areas within a city heat up equally. Parks and green spaces can be several degrees cooler than nearby commercial districts. This is because trees provide shade and release moisture through transpiration. So, urban planners are now looking at ways to mitigate the heat island effect by increasing green spaces, using reflective roofing materials, and even painting roads with lighter colors. However, these solutions require careful implementation, as they can be costly and need community support.