Climate change is causing rising temperatures worldwide, and new research reveals that most urban residents do not have enough trees, which are crucial for providing cooling.
A study of eight cities around the world found that only two, Seattle and Singapore, have managed to reach the minimum recommended amount of trees—30%—near their buildings.
The other six cities—New York City, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Denver, Sydney, and Melbourne—failed this test.
New York City, in particular, showed a significant shortage. There are nearly 0% trees near buildings that could help protect people from the sun’s heat.
The study indicates that at least 40% of trees are needed to sufficiently reduce the air temperature during the day.
Dr. Thami Croser, a leading researcher at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, said that the buildings they studied were not even close to reaching the minimum required amount of trees.
