A new study predicts warmer temperatures in Arizona’s growing urban corridor by 2050. As KJZZ’s Peter O’Dowd reports, the population between Nogales and Prescott is projected to exceed 9 million.

PETER O’DOWD: A team of scientists from Arizona State University and the National Center for Atmospheric Research says Arizona’s rapidly expanding metro areas could lead to temperature increases of about seven degrees Fahrenheit. ASU’s Matei Georgescu says that leaves questions about how we will handle growing demand for water and energy.

MATEI GEORGESCU: We need to undertake this urban expansion in a very smart and technologically savvy way, such that we don’t adversely affect the environment.

O’DOWD: Georgescu says models showed painting rooftops white could mitigate temperature increases. Researchers based their work on growth projections from the Maricopa Association of Governments. The study was published August 12 in the journal Nature Climate Change.