How many lives would have been saved if European cities had taken urban forestry seriously over the past few decades?

  • MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca
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    2 hours ago

    It can be an easy thing to test yourself, depending on local geography. Go for a walk in a forested area, even lightly, and then walk in an open field, then walk on a street. The temperature difference is easy to notice.

    There’s a trail nearby that goes from lightly forested to pavement next to a road, and then back to lightly forested. There’s easily a 5-10*c difference when on the pavement, it’s like hitting a wall of heat.

    Edit: this is to say: there should be no doubt about the effectiveness and necessity of urban tree cover. Green walls/roofs, light coloured roofs, green covered parking lots, etc. Solar panels also work well to block the sun, and provide extra power as well.

    • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.netOPM
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      2 hours ago

      Trees are by far the best at cooling but yes in situations where they won’t fit the other options should be considered.