why we need more urban trees

Urban trees save lives, a study found doubling tree cover in European cities could reduce heat-related deaths by a third, according to a new study.

The ‘urban heat island effect’ – where the built environment amplifies the temperature in cities – is a growing public health concern. Research shows that for every 1C rise in temperature, heat-related deaths rise by up to 3 per cent.

Positing a solution this week was an international team of researchers. They suggested that “Urban trees provide substantial public health and environmental benefits,” the researchers wrote. “By increasing tree coverage, premature deaths in European cities can be reduced.”

Reference:The Lancet, Cooling cities through urban green infrastructure: a health impact assessment of European cities, Tamara Iungman, MPH, Marta Cirach, MSc,
Federica Marando, PhD, EvelisPereiraBarboza, MPH, Sasha Khomenko, MSc, Pierre Masselot, PhD et al.

Published: January 31, 2023