School is in full swing and Starbucks’ pumpkin spice season has officially begun, signaling the start of fall — or the transition to a dormant season. But we’re still experiencing a season of growth at Southside ReLeaf.

Our intern, Maya Basnyat, took pictures around South Richmond with a thermal imaging camera in July. The results are a stark representation of how the urban heat island effect is impacting residents living in Southside and show why we need to cool the city.