Urban Forests: An Essential Tool for Climate-Resilient Communities
3 min read
As global temperatures rise and the frequency of severe weather events
increases, the critical role of urban forests in enhancing community resilience
is becoming more evident. Recent data from
NASA highlights a
concerning trend — a global average surface temperature rise of approximately 2
degrees Fahrenheit since the 19th century, exacerbating climate impacts across
our cities. Fortunately, the recognition of urban
forests
as essential tools in our climate-resilience
toolkit is growing.
Understanding the climate crisis in urban settings
More than 80 percent of people in the US and Canada live in urban areas,
and these settings’ dense populations and infrastructure are encountering
increasingly common challenges in the face of climate change. The rise in
surface temperatures contributes to the urban heat island
effect,
making cities unbearably
hot
and increasing residents’ reliance on energy-intensive cooling solutions such as
air
conditioning.
And more intense and frequent rainfall, storms and heatwaves threaten not just
the infrastructure but also the health and wellbeing of urban populations.
Strategic management for disaster resilience
The strategic development and management of urban forests are imperative to
combat these challenges. Urban trees provide critical services by cooling the
air
through shade and evapotranspiration, reducing flood risks by enhancing
stormwater
absorption
and improving air
quality by
filtering pollutants — all crucial benefits for reducing the physical and
socio-economic impacts of climate disasters on urban communities.
Effective, sustainable urban forest
management
requires a thoughtful approach that includes selecting resilient tree species
that can adapt to changing climate conditions and urban settings. It also
involves the strategic placement of trees to optimize environmental benefits and
integrate forests into broader urban planning and disaster risk reduction
strategies.
The pivotal role of civic and corporate leadership
Cities and businesses can and must lead the charge in integrating urban forestry
into climate-resilience
strategies.
By prioritizing green
infrastructure,
they can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and enhance urban
livability. Investments in urban forestry are not only proactive measures for
climate adaptation but also provide significant economic returns by reducing
disaster-related damages and
healthcare
costs
associated with pollution and heat.
Community
engagement
is another critical component. Involving community members in the planning and
maintenance of urban forests ensures that these initiatives are well-supported
and sustainable. Delmarva Power, in partnership
with Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Tree
Program, engages
customers in Maryland and
Delaware
to participate in the sustainable management of their local urban canopies by
providing a free tree giveaway annually — allowing residents to see the impact
of tree planting on their property. Educational campaigns can enhance public
awareness of the benefits of urban trees and encourage community actions to
protect and expand these green spaces.
Growing resilience to climate change, literally
Urban forests comprise all the trees locally and regionally — public trees in
streets, parks and greenspaces; as well as private trees on corporate and
university campuses. We can collectively help the urban forest become more
resilient to climate disasters.
Each of us has a role to play in taking responsibility for our part of the urban
forest.
One path forward is utilizing the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forestry Sustainability
Standard — and more
specifically, the Climate and Disaster Resilience
Theme.
Third-party certification of a local or
regional urban forest signifies an organization’s commitment to climate
resilience to their community.
At SFI, we believe sustainable forests are vital to our shared future. By
advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations with diverse
partners, we strive to create a world that values and benefits from sustainably
managed forests.
The strategic enhancement of urban forests is a powerful approach to building
climate and disaster resilience in urban areas. Trees are natural solutions that
mitigate the effects of heightened temperatures and severe weather, safeguarding
infrastructure and improving quality of life for city dwellers. As we navigate
the escalating impacts of climate change, fostering plentiful urban forests is
not just beneficial — it is essential for the long-term sustainability and
resilience of our communities.
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Published Sep 25, 2024 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST
