Scientists propose novel method to estimate human-caused heat emission

lockdown in February 2020 and gradually decreased after the lockdown was eased in April 2020, similar to that in Shanghai during the Level 1 pandemic response. In contrast, AH was less reduced in Guangzhou during the same period and increased in Beijing owing to extended central heating use in winter.

The researchers also found that AH decreased more in urban centers and the change in AH varied in terms of urban land use between cities and periods.

“With a much higher spatial resolution, the resulting AH was consistent with the latest global AH dataset, providing ‘objective and refined features of human activities during the pandemic’,” said Prof. Meng.

Although UHI changes during the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be entirely attributed to AH changes, the considerable reduction in AH is an important feature accompanying the weakening of the UHI.

More information:
Qingyan Meng et al, Anthropogenic heat variation during the COVID-19 pandemic control measures in four Chinese megacities, Remote Sensing of Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2023.113602