Concrete, asphalt and densely-packed buildings trap heat long after the sunset, creating so-called “urban heat islands” that make temperatures several degrees higher than in nearby greener areas. Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, offers a striking example. While not a scientific experiment, the readings highlight how trees and parks can reduce the heat. A measurement taken at noon on one of the busiest boulevards in the city, Partizanski Odredi, showed 33 degrees celsius in the tree shade and 40 degrees in direct sunlight. Around noon, the thermometer read 34 degrees in the shade and 44 degrees in the sun.