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Rosenfeld Letter from the Editor

UCLA Historical Journal, Volume 24 (2013)

This volume of the UCLA Historical Journal explores the relationship between “the history of politics and the politics of history.” The editors chose this issue’s five articles from papers presented at the 2012 History Graduate Student Association Conference, entitled “History Plus.” These articles illustrate UCLA Historical Journal’s emphasis on historical scholarship that embraces an interdisciplinary approach. I wish to thank the authors for submitting their articles to the Journal for discussion, and the editors for their contributions during the publication process. The current volume of the UCLA Historical Journal is possible because of the continued commitment and support of the UCLA History Department’s faculty and staff, including our Department Chair, David N. Myers, and our Graduate Advisors, Eboni Shaw and Hadley Porter. Also, I would like to thank our History Graduate Student Association Presidents, Kristen Hillaire Glasgow and Brian Kovalesky. Finally, I extend my gratitude to the Graduate Student Association Director of Publications, Stacey Meeker, for her unwavering patience and guidance. I am confident that this issue of the UCLA Historical Journal raises new questions for conversation and contributes to current historiographical literatures. I am pleased to present it to our readers.

Cover page: Rosenfeld Letter from the Editor

Cool Communities

Rosenfeld, A.

LBL Publications (2000)

Modern urban areas have darker surfaces and less vegetation than their surroundings, affecting urban climate, energy use, and habitability. Dark roofs heat up more and thus raise the summertime cooling demands of buildings. Collec tively, dark surfaces and reduced vegetation warm the air over urban areas, creating urban "heat islands." On a clear summer afternoon, the air temperature in a typical city can be as much as 2.5 degrees higher than surrounding rural areas. Peak urban electric demand rises by 2-4% for each 1 degree C rise in daily max. temperature above 15-20 degrees C. Thus, the additional air-conditioning use caused by higher urban air temperature is responsibile for 5-10% of urban peak electric demand, costing U.S. ratepayers several billion dollars annually.