Climate Resilience

Trees are a critical strategy for climate resilience on multiple fronts, from storing and sequestering carbon, to reducing stormwater and flooding, to providing energy-saving – even life-saving – shade.

Extreme heat kills more people each year in the United States than flooding, storms, and sea-level rise combined. Many more are sent to hospitals with heat-related illnesses. Cities across the nation are stepping up efforts to protect their most vulnerable residents by mapping and furthering their understanding of their Urban Heat Islands – areas that are hotter than their surroundings due to an abundance of impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt that absorb and radiate heat. Increasing urban forest canopy has continuously proven to be one of the most effective ways to ameliorate the Urban Heat Island Effect by moderating both ambient air and land temperatures, reducing air conditioning needs by up to 30%. Continued warming, driven by climate change, presents one of the foremost challenges to urban planners, public health officials, and communities.

Webinar: Rx for Hot Cities

Rx for Hot Cities: Urban Greening and Cooling to Reduce Heat-Related Mortality in Los Angeles and Beyond.

Urban Heat Islands

The use of trees and vegetation in the urban environment brings many benefits, including the mitigation of urban heat islands.

Heat, Health & Trees Session

This session features cutting-edge heat mapping and resiliency planning initiatives from Dr. Jeremy Hoffman and Melissa Deas, complemented by a seasoned community engagement perspective from Baltimore Tree Trust.

Climate & Health Action Guide

This action guide is designed to help promote human health and climate benefits of urban forests in communities while minimizing risks from climate change.

Relief From the Heat: In Rapidly Warming Cities, Trees Can Save Lives

New analyses explore the relationship between historic urban planning practices and how different urban neighborhoods experience extreme heat.

DC: Planting for the Climate of the Future: Washington, D.C.’s Efforts to Counter Urban Heat Islands

The District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and Department of Transportation (DDOT)  comprehensive heat policy.