Urban Heat Island: An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Surekha Tetali

The interview with Dr. Surekha Tetali highlights various dimensions of UHI effects in India, exploring the contributing factors, impacts on urban populations, and potential strategies to mitigate these effects.

Introduction

In our earlier article on Urban Heat Islands (UHI), we explored the intricate dynamics of Urban Heat Islands, exploring their causes, effects, and mitigation strategies. UHI is a growing concern for cities worldwide, characterized by significantly higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. This phenomenon is primarily driven by human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and the reduction of natural landscapes.

As a follow up, we will be discussing the practical concerns and effects of the UHI. Join us in our discussion with the expert, Dr. Surekha Tetali, as we further investigate the complexities of Urban Heat Islands and uncover practical solutions.

Meet Dr. Surekha Tetali - Our UHI Expert

Dr. Surekha Tetali is a renowned professor at Mahindra University, Hyderabad, and specializes in urban climate and environmental resilience research. Her work focuses on integrating policy considerations with mitigation measures to address the challenges posed by UHI effectively and has been published in esteemed academic journals and books.

Dr. Tetali’s insights are invaluable for anyone interested in understanding and combating the UHI phenomenon and we encourage you to give it a watch!

Key Highlights of the Interview

Join Dr. Tetali and Mr. Anurag Bajpai as they discuss crucial aspects of Urban Heat Islands, including:

  • Energy Efficiency with Cool Roofs: How adopting cool roofs can lead to significant energy savings.
  • Projected Job Losses Due to Heat Stress: The potential impact on employment in India by 2030.
  • Cooling Shelters for the Urban Poor: The importance of providing relief during heat waves.
  • Educational Awareness Campaigns: The role of education in combating Urban Heat Islands.
  • Economic Impact on GDP: The projected economic consequences of heat stress.

Watch the Full Interview

We hope this interview helps with building a further understanding of the Urban Heat Island Effect and inspires action towards more resilient urban planning.

Also Read

We also encourage you to go through the full report on Urban Heat Islands and the associated GreenLetter Article

A Narrative on Urban Heat Island (UHI) in India
a need for a system thinking approach to integrate technologies and policies for climate and humankind
GreenLetter VIII : Urban Heat Islands in India
Dear Reader, We all know that India experienced one of its worst heatwaves ever in 2024. Heatwaves are now the biggest threat to India’s well-being. Record-breaking temperatures of over 48°C in the North, West, and Central regions highlight the severity of the climate crisis. As an example see Delh…