In 93 cities in Europe, summer temperatures were around 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than in the nearby countryside. Can Planting Trees Cool Our Cities, Can trees make it better? The use of trees in cities has taken root as a means of combating high temperatures in the cities.
Why Are Cities Warmer?
Heat is trapped by the asphalt, concrete, and dark roofs leading to creation of the urban heat island. This becomes more dangerous in heat waves, as shown in our report on extreme heat. Absent also is the moisture and shade provided by natural vegetation in the countryside.
How Will Trees Help?
A Lancet study modeled the result of increasing the tree canopy to 30%, about twice the average in Europe. It predicted that such an increase in tree cover would yield a cooling effect of approximately 0.4°C and possibly prevent 2644 premature deaths, or one third of total predicted deaths, in summer of 2015. Southern and eastern European cities will benefit the most.
The Disadvantages – Can Planting Trees Cool Our Cities
Even though the benefit might seem small, it does exist. Space limitations mean that tree planting must be carried out together with other methods, for instance, roof greening.
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