Trees Cool Cities, But Not Enough

Summary

Trees worldwide combat urban heat, cooling cities by 0.27°F on average. Without trees, urban heat island effect would increase by 0.56°F. Greener cities like Berlin, Atlanta, and Sydney chill things by at least 0.45°F. Poorer nations have only 9% of cities with strong tree cooling, compared to nearly 40% in wealthy ones. Experts suggest increasing trees i…

Show notes

Trees worldwide combat urban heat, cooling cities by 0.27°F on average. Without trees, urban heat island effect would increase by 0.56°F. Greener cities like Berlin, Atlanta, and Sydney chill things by at least 0.45°F. Poorer nations have only 9% of cities with strong tree cooling, compared to nearly 40% in wealthy ones. Experts suggest increasing trees in hot poor cities, but benefits are capped at 20% less future heating. Trees help mitigate climate change, but cannot outpace a warming world a

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