Research reveals that urban areas in the United States with predominantly white populations have more trees compared to neighborhoods with mostly people of color. This disparity has been linked to higher rates of heat-related illnesses and fatalities, as highlighted in a recent study published in npj Urban Sustainability on April 8. Urban ecologist Steward Pickett from the Carey Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York commended the thoroughness of the analysis, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue.
By analyzing 2020 U.S. census data for 5,723 urban regions alongside information on tree coverage and heat-related health outcomes, McDonald’s team uncovered a concerning trend. The data, which encompassed 180 million individuals, indicated an equal distribution between residents of majority white and majority nonwhite neighborhoods. Trees play a crucial role in mitigating extreme heat by providing shade and cooling effects, particularly in areas with concrete or asphalt surfaces. Increasing tree planting efforts in underserved communities could potentially prevent numerous heat-related deaths, according to McDonald, who is based in Basel, Switzerland.
2024-04-08 04:00:00
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