Disparities in urban heat exposure and adaptation

Description: There is ample evidence that environmental justice communities experience high levels of extreme heat. However, it is unknown how disparities in urban heat exposure and adaptation options change over time. We investigated disparities over time in urban heat exposure and adaptation options. We found that people of color experienced more extremely hot days, overall higher temperatures, and larger increases in heat exposure. However, they have less tree cover and air conditioning. 

Publications:  

Chen, S., Shives, E., Lund, K., Murphy-Dunning, C., & Seto, K. C. (2025). An Approach to Prioritize Urban Tree Planting to Mitigate Heat and Advance Equity in New Haven. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 129039.

Chen, S., Lund, K., Murphy-Dunning, C., Seto, KC. (2024). More extremely hot days, more heat exposure and fewer cooling options for people of color in Connecticut, U.S. Submitted to npj Urban Sustainability. 

Chen, S., Bruhn, S., & Seto, K. C. (2024). Trends in socioeconomic disparities in urban heat exposure and adaptation options in mid-sized US cities. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 101313. 

Media: 

Yale Alumni Magazine. (2025). Reforesting the Elm City. 

Yale News. (2024). People of Color Exposed to More Extremely Hot Days.

Yale News. (2025). A New Roadmap for Urban Tree Planting

Funded by: NASA Equity and Environmental Justice project. Earth observations to reduce greenspace and health inequities: Applying multi-decadal and multi-scale satellite imagery to characterize tree canopy and heat exposure to improve policymaking and community well-being