Why are we planting trees in cities from Los Angeles to London?

The United Kingdom has recently broken temperature records. A hot wave is spreading throughout Europe, creating droughts, a public health catastrophe, infrastructure breakdowns, and wildfires. This is a symptom of climate catastrophe, and it is not typical.

During a heatwave, there is a noticeable variation in temperature among city streets with significant foliage and Tree cover and bare concrete walkways that are under the sunlight all day. Trees, in fact, may cool down areas by up to 8oC by providing shade and reintroducing moisture into the air.

That is why, since 2020, we have been planting trees in cities from Los Angeles to London, concentrating on underprivileged regions with little tree cover.

It is estimated that 68% of the world's population will be breathing, working, and living in cities by 2050. Cooling energy buildings such as Community gardens and trees are becoming equally essential as public transportation or playgrounds in the context of the climate problem and rising urbanization.

It isn't simply about the temperature. It's also about climate justice. overheating, Climate change and air pollution, and a lack of access to green areas are more likely to affect low-income and Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority groups. When temperatures in London reach 40°C, as they did yesterday, The absence of vegetation and trees becomes a public health concern.

This discrepancy in Differences in tree cover between rich and low-income areas is a worldwide tendency. From the 1930s until the 1970s, some communities in the United States with a preponderance of African American and immigrant populations were "redlined" for lending. Banks rejected mortgages to residents in such locations, and they also missed out on healthcare and infrastructure development. Today, On the map, the red boundary lines around neighborhoods are closely related and aligned with maps indicating a lack of green space and tree canopies, implying that these areas are hotter on average and more sensitive to the consequences of climate change, such as air pollution and heatwaves.

With the majority of urban growth occurring in Asian cities, the number of "megacities" with populations of more than 10 million people is expected to increase from 33 in 2018 to 43 in 2030. It is predicted planting trees in these cities might save more than $500 million per year in environmental protection expenses, energy, and public health.

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Trees are not just wonderful to have; we really need them. They assist to filter air pollutants, remove poisons and heavy metals from the soil, and, unlike concrete roadways, their roots absorb precipitation and lessen flooding danger. Many studies have demonstrated that trees improve human health and well-being by lowering stress and promoting social connectedness.

Colin Ellard, a psychologist, has studied the neurobiology of urban movement. In a study of people's emotional states wandering about Manhattan, he discovered that entering a park with a wide variety of trees and bushes resulted in the greatest increase in happiness.

Unfortunately, historically, urban planners have underestimated the importance of these social and ecological benefits. Mature trees are often felled to make place for roadways and parking lots. Concrete pavements make it harder for plants to grow by blocking water from reaching their roots. Furthermore, when enormous, mature city trees near the end of their lives, they are typically replaced with much smaller species – if at all.

Dense woods were formerly removed in places such as New York and London to make way for skyscrapers and urban development. Reintroducing trees into these densely populated regions will help them become more robust to the impacts of climate change while also enhancing mental health and community cohesiveness.

There are several aspects to consider when it comes to tree planting in cities. Tree planting in cities is more expensive than tree planting in rural areas because it requires more stakeholders. Our urban tree planting programs take these complicated socioeconomic realities into consideration on the ground, focusing on community participation to narrow the urban tree equity gap.

In London, the Ecosia-supported community-led initiative "Greener Together" has helped to turn abandoned places into shared green spaces, combating social isolation and bringing improved wellness to city inhabitants. We've also planted trees near hospitals in the UK to help healthcare personnel, local communities, and patients. 

Ecosia searches are assisting City Plants in restoring a former municipal nursery in Los Angeles in order to plant trees in previously redlined communities that are more sensitive to air pollution and the urban heat island effect Meanwhile, we're collaborating with City Plants in Los Angeles and Tree Ambassador initiatives will be supported by open spaces throughout Chicago that teach neighborhood people how to plant, monitor, and care for urban trees.

This kind of grassroots effort provides a more regenerative solution to urbanization's difficulties. Planting trees alone will not suffice. It is about understanding how social justice and climate change intersect so that they might be handled jointly – one (urban) tree at a time.