One natural strategy to reduce heat-related deaths is to increase tree coverage in urban areas, which helps lower temperatures. A recent study highlights the disparities in health and energy consumption across the United States, stemming from insufficient urban tree coverage. It also details the potential health and economic advantages that increased tree presence can offer to urban environments.
A recent study looked at 2020 US census data and the effects of trees on neighborhoods across the United States. In this study, mortality, morbidity, and electricity consumption across 5,723 US municipalities and regions were examined, which includes 180 million people. The research also included a high-resolution (2 meter) tree cover map for areas studied.
What the research from this study indicates is that areas with demographics made up of mostly minorities and low income individuals generally have 11% less trees, are 1.5 °C hotter than majority white and higher income areas, and have 14% more impervious surface.
Trees have been found to have great benefits in urban environments. Mature trees provide shade and absorb heat which helps to lower electricity consumption. Urban areas with fewer trees experience a 0.45–4.6% increase in electricity demand for every 1°C increase in temperature. In mostly white and affluent areas, trees reduce air temperate by an average 1.01 ± 0.03 °C. In these mostly white neighborhoods, there are also annual reductions in 190 ± 139 deaths, 30,131 ± 10,406 doctor visits, and 1.4 ± 0.5 terawatt-hours (Twhr) of electricity consumption relative to non-white neighborhoods.
