How Trees Can Play a Life-Saving Role in Our Struggle Against Extreme Weather

As new?research ?published in January in the world’s leading medical journal pointed out, there is a natural resource capable of helping to lessen the impact of a changing climate and keep people safe: Trees.?

The study in?The Lancet, on the heels of last summer’s deadly European heat waves, found that increasing the average tree cover in European cities to 30% could reduce heat-related deaths by more than a third.??They estimate that equates to thousands of lives saved simply by planting trees.?

The paper has been written about and?shared around the world , and places trees at the center of the conversation as part of the solution to help combat the growing urban heat island problem our world faces each summer.

Trees diminish the ‘heat island effect,’ absorb CO2 and emit oxygen back into the atmosphere. Researchers say that brings a range of health benefits, including reducing cardiovascular disease and improving mental health.?

While the call to action from this specific study originates in Europe, the science crosses borders. What we know about the life-saving impact of trees can and should be applied in our approach to urban design in the United States and around the world. We can’t always put a stop to extreme weather. We can choose to be intentional in how we prepare and protect our communities.?

Many public agencies, organizations and private stakeholders are already finding value in tree plantings as a solution to lessen the impact of extreme weather. Cities are being more thoughtful than ever about how to plant trees, where to plant, and even what species to plant to best sustain and protect against extreme weather while creating more resilient, healthy and vibrant communities.?

Even planting trees in your front or backyard can help establish and restore critical canopy in urban areas. This additional shade in neighborhoods can ultimately help cool cities and combat the trend of rising urban temperatures that plays a role in more damaging weather patterns.?

We are in a moment of time right now where trees can also be seen as a hopeful, resilient, and natural solution to our worsening weather patterns and changing climate. The need for more trees in our urban areas lacking sufficient canopy is one reason the Arbor Day Foundation is?focusing more of its efforts in neighborhoods of greatest need.

No tree planting is too small, and I encourage you to be part of the solution. The time for trees is now.