Large metropolitan areas are composed of hard surfaces that trap solar energy as heat, especially in the summer months. The EPA estimates that the trapped heat results in 1.5 – 2.0% increase in energy consumption for every 0.6 °C increase in air temperature in these urban heat islands. Most of this energy is
supplied by power plants that rely on fossil fuels. Which of the following effects of increased energy use and regional air temperatures directly impacts human health?