Columbus "heat islands" are making it feel hotter

It's been a sweltering summer in Central Ohio, but exactly how hot it feels can depend on where in the region you live.

Why it matters: Urban heat islands are boosting already extreme temperatures in major U.S. cities, making them less inhabitable and increasing the risk of heat-related health complications, per a recent Climate Central analysis .

Zoom in: 72% of Columbus' population — over 650,000 people — experience hotter temperatures of at least 8°F due to the urban heat island effect. Some areas of the city can feel even hotter.

• Columbus' average high temperatures in both June (84.9) and July (87.6) were already over two degrees above what's normal for those months, per National Weather Service data.

Driving the news: Contributing factors that "trap" heat include dense populations; roads, buildings and parking lots; and a reduced percentage of green space with not enough plants to help cool the air.

• Historically, segregated neighborhoods have been disproportionately impacted.

The intrigue: What keeps us cool is also making the outdoors hotter. During a heat wave, air conditioning can add 20% more heat to the air outside, per the Climate Central report.

The latest: A new public tree code took effect in Columbus last week, with a goal of protecting and expanding public tree canopies .

Yes, but: Axios' Jennifer Kingson reports that such solutions are Band-Aid approaches amid climate change.

• A more holistic and systemic approach is needed, involving all levels of government and private-sector firepower.

The bottom line: "The entire planet is warming due to human-caused climate change, but the built environment further amplifies both average temperatures and extreme heat in cities," per a Climate Central statement announcing the new data.

What's next: A week into this month, the average high temperature (89.8) is almost five degrees above what's normal for August.

• Another 90-degree day is in the forecast tomorrow, but temperatures are expected to cool into the low 80s heading into the weekend.