Current:Home > MarketsTo Reduce Mortality From High Heat in Cities, a New Study Recommends Trees-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
To Reduce Mortality From High Heat in Cities, a New Study Recommends Trees
View Date:2024-12-23 22:33:34
Nearly 40 percent of the thousands of deaths that can be attributed to high heat levels in cities could have been avoided through increased tree coverage, a recent study from Barcelona’s Institute of Global Health found.
Past studies have linked urban heat with increased mortality rate and hospital admissions for adults and children. This link between high temperature and mortality holds both in times of extreme and moderate heat. In addition to conducting a similar analysis between urban heat and mortality, the Institute of Global Health’s study went on to estimate possible reductions in temperature and mortality that may result from increased tree coverage.
To establish the reduction in heat-induced urban mortality from increased tree coverage, researchers first compared mortality rates in warmer urban areas with mortality rates in cooler non-urban areas. This allowed them to estimate the relationship between increased temperature and mortality in urban areas. Researchers were then able to estimate the degree to which planting more trees could decrease temperature and thereby urban mortality rates. Specifically, a 30 percent increase in tree coverage could lead to 40 percent fewer deaths from urban heat.
Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, a research professor at ISGlobal and the study’s senior author, said the strength of their paper is in its holistic analysis of the issue. By linking heat, mortality and urban greening, the paper is able to stand at the “nexus of the climate crisis, urban forestry, health and urban planning,” said Nieuwenhuijsen, who also directs ISGlobal’s urban planning, environment and health initiative.
Through analyzing urban greening’s impact on heat-induced mortality, the paper is uniquely able to recommend solutions. Patrick Kinney, a professor of environmental and urban health at Boston University who was not involved in the study, said that while the paper’s estimated impacts of planting more trees aren’t exact, they are useful in illustrating to “policymakers that there are potential benefits of intervening in the urban space and changing land use.”
“This is a good example of how public health information can be integrated into climate planning, and urban planning,” said Kinney. “And I think that’s something that we ought to do more of, because as long as we’re taking action to combat climate change, we ought to be at least thinking about how we can do it in a way that’s also promoting health and equity.”
As cities get warmer with climate change, many are trying to figure out ways to reduce the temperatures and adverse health impacts, Kinney said, adding that the study’s findings are “very relevant to what lots of cities are doing to try to adapt to climate change, to make climate change less impactful on the local community.”
Nieuwenhuijsen said that mitigating heat-induced urban mortality requires multiple avenues of action, as well as patience. He explained that about 85 percent of the fuel emitted by cars is emitted as heat, while “only 15 percent is used to move the car forward. So you’re also looking to see, can I reduce other things that actually produce the heat?” Niuewenhuijsen suggested the creation of more bikeable and walkable cities to counteract these effects of car travel.
In the study, Nieuwenhuijsen and colleagues proposed “replacing impervious surfaces with permeable or vegetated areas” and increasing the use of light colors on city roofs and walls as a means of possibly reducing urban heat. However, the most cost-effective and simple method of combating urban heat may be to simply plant more trees in cities and preserve those that already exist, the study said.
As far as trees go, Nieuwenhuijsen said that “it’s not as much about planting more trees, but in particular, also preserving the current trees that we have in the city.” Of those new trees that are planted, about “half of them die within two years and it takes about 50 years to grow full trees,” he said.
Still, Nieuwenhuijsen maintains a tempered optimism regarding public response to the study. “There is a move toward making the cities more for people: making them more livable, making them healthier, also making them carbon neutral, of course. So I think there is a general improvement under this direction,” Nieuwenhuijsen said. “Of course, it’s still a bit too slow. I mean, that’s the problem. The pace is not as fast as what we’re hoping for.”
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
- 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' spoilers! Let's unpack that wild ending, creative cameo
- Recreational marijuana sales begin on North Carolina tribal land, drug illegal in state otherwise
- ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu on ‘shooting the moon,’ casting Ariana Grande and growing 9M tulips
- Tropical Storm Sara threatens to bring flash floods and mudslides to Central America
- Paige DeSorbo Swears Everyone Who Buys These Pants Loves Them So Much, They End Up Getting Every Color
- Charles Barkley keeps $1 million promise to New Orleans school after 2 students' feat
- Bama Rush, step aside! 3-year-old star of 'Toddler Rush' combines cuteness and couture
- Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
- How to pick the best preschool or child care center for your child
Ranking
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Nicole Kidman Announces Death of Her Mom Janelle After Leaving Venice Film Festival
- Kelly Stafford Reveals the Toughest Part of Watching Quarterback Husband Matthew Stafford Play Football
- ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu on ‘shooting the moon,’ casting Ariana Grande and growing 9M tulips
- 2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
- Ella Travolta honors late mom Kelly Preston in new song, shares old home videos
- After 26 years, a Border Patrol agent has a new role: helping migrants
- A hurricane-damaged Louisiana skyscraper is set to be demolished Saturday
Recommendation
-
Tua Tagovailoa tackle: Dolphins QB laughs off taking knee to head vs. Rams on 'MNF'
-
Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner begin play in the US Open men’s final
-
Run to Vineyard Vines for an Extra 30% off Their Sale—Shop Flowy Dresses, Nautical Tops & More Luxe Deals
-
2 young sisters apparently drowned in a Long Island pond, police say
-
Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
-
2 young sisters apparently drowned in a Long Island pond, police say
-
Trouble brewing for Colorado, Utah? Bold predictions for Week 2 in college football
-
Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula in final