Extreme heat and humidity reduce the recreational value of urban green spaces

Abstract Urban green spaces provide vital benefits to human well-being, yet increasingly frequent summer heat and humidity undermine their use and value. Here we quantify welfare losses attributable to reduced urban green space use under intensifying summer heat and humidity. We find that high temperature and humidity substantially reduce annual recreational value, with losses over 22 million United States dollars under the most extreme conditions. However, features such as water play areas and air-conditioned indoor facilities partially offset these losses. Our results highlight the vulnerability of urban recreation to climate extremes and demonstrate how targeted cooling infrastructure can support continued use of green spaces. These findings provide evidence to inform climate adaptation strategies aimed at protecting public well-being in cities experiencing rapidly warming summers.