Faster, Higher Stronger... Hotter

The world’s top athletes are struggling with Tokyo’s blazing humid summer at the Tokyo Olympics. SMU Associate Professor of Science, Technology and Society Winston Chow explained the "urban heat island" effect in Tokyo as a phenomenon which stems from rising urbanization such as through the use of concrete and asphalt, as well as the increased density of human activities that produce waste heat, like air-conditioning or traffic. "These localized warmer urban temperatures are on top of higher long-term regional temperatures caused by climate change. This can exacerbate heat risks to its residents and visiting athletes who take part outdoors – especially visitors who are not fully acclimatized to Tokyo's summer heat," he said.