Which statement describes the urban heat island effect?

• A. Lower temperatures due to shading by tall buildings.
• B. Higher humidity with no temperature change.
• C. Higher temperatures in urban areas due to dense surfaces and reduced vegetation.
• D. Cooler nights due to concrete absorbing heat.

Answer: (C)

The urban heat island effect happens when city areas become warmer than surrounding rural areas because of the built environment. Dense, dark surfaces like asphalt and concrete soak up a lot of solar energy and store heat, releasing it slowly and keeping temperatures higher even after the sun goes down. At the same time, fewer plants mean less shade and less evapotranspiration, which normally helps cool air. Buildings and reduced open space also limit air movement, trapping heat.

So, a statement that describes higher temperatures in urban areas due to dense surfaces and reduced vegetation captures the main idea: the built environment and lack of vegetation lead to more heat absorption, storage, and less natural cooling. The other statements don’t fit this pattern: shading can lower heat locally but doesn’t eliminate the city-wide warming; humidity may rise but the city typically still stays hotter; and concrete tends to keep nights warmer, not cooler, because it releases the stored heat after sunset.