Trees Are Key To Fighting Urban Heat — But Cities Keep Losing Them
- Martin Ford
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Sean McMinn
2019-09-05
NPR
Keywords: Urban heat island, Climate change mitigation, Tree cover disparity, Urban tree loss, Public health, Green Heart Project, Louisville, Kentucky, Financial challenges, Urban forestry
"If you live in an area in cities that is seeing more extreme heat days, but you don't have tree cover to cool down your neighborhood, that can literally be a life or death issue," says Daley. "The folks who are least likely to have air conditioning to weather heat waves, the folks who are most likely to have preexisting health conditions that put them at greater risk from those heat waves, aren't getting the benefits of trees."
The podcast/ article emphasizes the essential function of trees in reducing the urban heat island effect and addressing the consequences of climate change within American cities. It points out the significant differences in tree coverage between affluent and low-income areas, with the latter typically having less tree shade, which increases their vulnerability to heat and related health issues. The example of Louisville, Kentucky, is used to illustrate this disparity, where the Park DuValle neighbourhood has only half the average tree cover of the city, in contrast to the well-shaded St. James Court, which is a wealthier area. The city of Louisville is facing a substantial annual loss of trees, with 54,000 trees being lost each year due to various factors. This trend is not unique to Louisville; data from the U.S. Forest Service shows that from 2009 to 2014, 44 states saw a decline in their urban tree cover, amounting to a loss of 28.5 million trees per year. The financial strain on cities, exemplified by Louisville's significant budget deficit, results in reduced funding for sustainability initiatives and tree care, further threatening urban forests' health. In response to these challenges, the Green Heart Project in Louisville is undertaking an innovative approach by planting mature trees in 3 sqm area and conducting a study to assess their effects on heart health and other health outcomes. The project's methodology, which involves treating tree planting as a form of medication in a clinical trial, highlights the potential for urban forestry to contribute to long-term public health and well-being.
Tags: Environmental health, Urban sustainability, Climate action, Social inequality, Public policy, Health outcomes, Community well-being, Urban planning
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