Tokyo's Heat Island Effect

Provided by: Google Earth |Published on: April 27, 2021

Graphs/Tables

89101112AP

Synopsis

This interactive Google Maps resource lets students explore 3D maps, images, text, and data about the heat island effect in Tokyo, Japan.
Students will explore some of the reasons for the increasing urban temperatures and discover some of the solutions the city is implementing in an effort to reduce the heat.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Google Earth

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This resource explains how wind flow, heat exhaust, green spaces, heat-reflecting coatings, and proximity to a large body of water can affect the temperature of a city.
Students will learn why Tokyo's temperature has increased so much more than the rest of Japan.

Prerequisites

Using a slower Internet connection or wireless Internet may cause the images to load slowly.
Students should be familiar with line graphs and reading maps.

Differentiation & Implementation

Cross-curricular connections can be made with social studies classes when discussing the effects of urban planning, the number of parks and trees in urban areas, and the differing conditions in various urban communities.
Biology courses can explore the connections between urban heat-island effects and the intensity of heat waves or heat-related illnesses as temperatures increase.
Other resources related to this topic include this video on what would happen if we cut down all of a city's trees, this video on the benefits of urban trees, this article on dangerous humid heat extremes, and this interactive tree equity score map.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.