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Tree Equity and Trees' Impact on Surface Temperatures, Human Health: A Research Roundup

Summary

This article from Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center explores the critical relationship between urban tree canopy cover, surface temperatures, and human health. It emphasizes that the absence of trees is not just an aesthetic concern; it has profound implications for well-being. The research roundup highlights several studies that delve into this association and underscore the disparities in tree distribution, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. The article presents findings that demonstrate how urban areas with less tree cover tend to experience higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect, which can lead to heat-related illnesses. Moreover, it discusses the importance of increasing green spaces, planting more trees, and investing in policies that promote tree equity to mitigate these disparities and improve overall public health. The studies featured in the roundup provide valuable insights into the intersection of environmental equity, health, and urban planning.

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November 17, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

December 17, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Black Americans once owned millions of acres of land after the Civil War, but today, nearly 90% of it is no longer in their hands due to violence, eminent domain, and discriminato

November 16, 2023
Economic Justice
Economic Justice

Vice President Harris, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment globally, launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy

November 14, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Houston City Council allocated $5 million to relocate people from cancer clusters identified by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

November 14, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change

Environmental justice communities need real change—not a rebrand of the same discriminatory plans that slow the clock on fighting the climate crisis and reinforce the status quo.

November 14, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Community organizations that serve and are led by people of color are banding together to secure billions of federal dollars earmarked for environmental and climate causes.

November 11, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change

Ohio and Pennsylvania are leading the way in the completion of a more robust national charging network, but the scale of the work ahead remains significant

November 10, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change

November 10, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, a church in Tucson, Arizona, exemplifies the potential of microgrids for enhancing energy resiliency, especially in the face of climate challenges.

November 10, 2023
Economic Justice
Economic Justice

Grist reported on a study from Stanford University revealing the effectiveness of controlled burns in reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires.

November 8, 2023

The article delves into a paper by James Hansen, often referred to as the godfather of climate science, and his colleagues.

November 8, 2023
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

On November 8, 2023, Texas voters approved Proposition 7, allocating $10 billion in low-interest loans for new gas power plants, a move criticized as favoring the fossil fuel.

November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The article highlights the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), over the past two years.

November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The article explores the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly South Africa, in transitioning from coal to clean energy with the support of the Global North.

November 6, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

On November 6, 2023, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Midtown Redevelopment Authority, tasked with acquiring lots to prevent gentrification in Houston's Third Ward.