In an era where global warming is an issue, the need to address the continuous increase of temperatures worldwide is front and center. In urban centers, cities are experiencing record-breaking high temperatures and heat waves. Online data shows that the increase in heat temperature is 3x that experienced in the 80s. With this significant increase comes heat-related ailments and other issues.
In the European Union alone, urban heat is estimated to kill more people than any other extreme weather condition. Due to the increased number of deaths, scientists have put themselves to the task of finding a remedy that could help mitigate the problem. One of the leading solutions is planting more trees! According to research and data collected by scientists, planting more trees can not only lower temperatures by up to 15 degrees but also create a microclimate that makes the environment more friendly. However, planting these trees has to be strategic to achieve optimum results.
Urban Heat Islands
Before going into the details of the importance of urban trees in combating extreme heat, it’s crucial to understand the concept of urban heat islands. These sections or areas within the city occasionally experience increased temperatures compared to rural areas.
Once vegetation is cleared to construct industrial buildings, homes, and businesses, this infrastructure tends to generate, trap, and retain heat. This significantly increases the temperature of the surrounding air. This temperature can be a result of machines, home appliances, and even humans themselves. In densely populated areas, especially those with tall buildings packed together, there’s usually a very small opportunity for the air to circulate. The result is small heat islands, each generating its own heat.
How Planting Trees Combats Heat Islands
Trees have many advantages that directly and indirectly help combat heat islands! They provide oxygen, improve the quality of air, preserve soil by preventing soil erosion and increasing mulching, plus much more:
- Providing shades. Have you ever found yourself seated in the green spaces of any city, enjoying your lunch break while reading a book, playing casino games at vulkan vegas pl or another online casino, or just unwinding? If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you already know the importance of urban trees in combating extreme heat. Research shows that vegetation and trees reduce the air and surface temperatures by creating shades. In fact, these shades can reduce the heat by as much as 10°C.
However, to get the most out of this phenomenon, trees should be planted in strategic locations, focusing mostly on parking lots, streets, and buildings. In large estates, developers should concentrate on planting trees in balconies, playing areas, and other areas that require greenery. This is a tactic that has widely been used in China and has seen significant success.
- Evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is the process through which moisture is transferred from the earth to the atmosphere through evaporation. Trees and other plants absorb water using their roots and release it to the atmosphere using their leaves, backs, and other channels when sun rays hit their surfaces. In other scenarios, water is lost to the atmosphere as vapor gas. Evapotranspiration, alongside the shades created by trees, can reduce the temperatures by 1°C – 10°C within the locality in which these trees are planted.
- Clearing the air. It is common knowledge that trees rely heavily on CO2 and sunlight to photosynthesize. Data shows that a single tree can mop between 10 kg and 40 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. Now, imagine how many Kgs 1000 trees in a single locality can mop? One of the biggest contributors to heat islands is the gaseous emissions from vehicles and other diesel combustion engines. Many of these emit CO2 as a residue for their combustion. Therefore, planting more trees where these CO2 gasses are mainly emitted can help combat the increasing temperature. It could be along highways, next to industries, or where heavy machinery is used. A reduction in CO2 from the air equals lower heat and, thus, fewer heat islands.
Protect Trees for Future Generations
Urban trees play a vital role in regulating the overall temperatures in cities. Informed selection and careful placement of trees, vegetation, and green infrastructure have proven to reduce the temperatures of surrounding areas by 2°C and 8°C. This has led to the reduction of premature deaths and heat-related stress during high-temperature events. Additionally, these efforts contribute to enhancing urban biodiversity and improving residents’ overall quality of life. By prioritizing the preservation and expansion of green spaces, we can ensure a healthier, cooler environment for future generations.
