Underserved communities shoulder the effects of climate change. Trees lessen the burden and help residents breathe easier.
Our Canopy Report revealed that 91% of Americans believe trees help make neighborhoods more livable, yet 56% must drive to their nearest park or green space. The benefits of trees are undeniable, and when we focus on planting in areas with little coverage, we help those who need it most.
The need for trees is at a critical moment
Heat
As temperatures soar, urban areas with few trees and plenty of concrete become hubs for the heat island effect. Extreme heat kills more Americans each year than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined. Trees lower street temperatures by up to 10 degrees, and as natural multitaskers, they also lessen the brutal effects of storms like rainwater runoff and flooding.
Light and noise pollution
Traffic and sirens screaming through the streets. Artificial light breaking the tranquility of the night sky. Urban centers, now home to 56% of the world’s population, are riddled with what is known as “neglected pollutants". This perfectly describes the light and noise pollution to which residents have become accustomed. Trees can help to absorb, deflect, or refract soundwaves, and block light, reducing some of the stress they can cause.
Mental wellbeing
Americans are feeling more stressed than ever. Forty nine percent of the U.S. population reported frequently experiencing stress. Trees can help. Multiple studies have shown that being around trees and simply looking at trees can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost mood. No wonder 90% of Americans say that trees and green spaces contribute to their mental wellbeing, while 85% say that spending time in nature, surrounded by trees, is like a reset button for their minds and souls.
Physical health
The beauty and vibrancy of trees invite people to go outside. This is more important than ever since the CDC has found that only 28% of Americans are getting the recommended hours of exercise needed for better health, while approximately half of adults have at least one chronic illness that could be prevented by regular exercise. The greater the access to trees, the more likely people will put on their walking shoes. But the health benefits don’t stop there. Studies have shown that street trees are also associated with a lower prevalence of early childhood asthma.
Where have the trees gone?
In most urban cities across the country, tree coverage is on the decline. Why it’s happening depends on the neighborhood, approach to city planning, and socioeconomic outlook.
Development
It’s estimated that by the year 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities. As urban centers make room for the advantages that come with growth and development, trees and green spaces are sometimes left out of the planning phase. A lack of trees creates environmental and climate stressors, like the urban heat island effect, that take their toll on residents.
Disinvestment
Year after year, certain neighborhoods are overlooked for funding that supports regular tree planting and care. Sometimes the neglect lasts for generations, compounding the challenges faced by residents and making it much harder to plant new trees or replace existing ones.
Natural disasters
Strong storms, heat waves, and wildfires can devastate a community's trees. As the climate continues to change and conditions become even more destructive, maintaining the health of the trees becomes increasingly difficult.
Disease and pests
All trees provide benefits, but when areas try to cut costs, maintain a certain aesthetic, or prioritize simplicity by growing only one or two types of tree species, it does more harm than good. Monoculture practices make it easier for diseases and pests to wipe out an entire tree population and remove the benefits of trees from the community.
Planting trees is so much more than just a planting day.
We start by connecting people and organizations to a network of dedicated tree-planting partners who understand the needs of their communities. Before shovels hit the soil, we use rich data and local guidance to accurately pinpoint, block by block, where the trees will have the greatest impact on people’s lives.
