In London, a densely populated location that reflects many of the world’s major cities, scientists estimate that trees have saved more than 150 lives in the course of eight years by reducing large patches of the city by up to 35°F (2°C). Maridav / Shutterstock
Those who love to get outdoors and run or walk understand the importance of trees. Not only do they provide shade during intense sessions, but they also improve our mental health through appreciating their beauty. Science is now doubling down on the importance of trees, and has even predicted the number of lives that might be saved thanks to our bark-built-buddies ability to keep a lid on temperatures.
Unfortunately, developing global cities have long been uprooting trees in favor of concrete car parks and pedestrianized zones, forcing those who love to get outdoors for their exercise fix instead. The problem is that these concrete jungles are just not as healthy as natural ones, producing what is known as the “Urban Heat Island Effect.”
It is estimated that the city of Chicago is on the path to seeing more than 30 more days per year where the temperature hits more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8°C). The disadvantage of higher temperatures is that they can exacerbate existing health conditions such as cardio vascular diseases, respiratory problems, and even diabetes. To make matters worse, urban areas tend to have higher levels of air pollution and without trees, we are losing out on the potential filtering process that these plants provide.
A ground-breaking study published in IOP Science estimates that during heatwave events in 2022, tree coverage helped avoid around 16 heat attributable deaths in London. The cooling benefits from trees become even greater under hotter future climates. The results support increasing tree canopy coverage to help mitigate high urban temperatures in the future, with urban greening suggested as part of a set of broader public health actions that can help reduce heat-related mortality in