Seeking relief from the heat? There’s nothing more refreshing than sitting under a tree or strolling through a forest.
The good news is that trees can help to cool everything down and make our environment more comfortable.
Throughout the world, people and communities use trees for shelter.
The term Urban Heat Island (UHI) refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural counterparts. This is because buildings, roads, and other infrastructure in cities absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes like parks, forests, and lakes. Consequently, urban areas become “islands” of elevated temperatures.
Research shows that trees in urban environments can lower the air temperature by 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. They provide essential shade for the ground and buildings, which not only cools the environment but also reduces energy consumption. Properly placed trees around buildings can cut air conditioning needs by 30%. Tree shade can also reduce air conditioning costs of buildings by 20-50% providing suitable tree placement.
Trees are amazing at cooling down our cities for the following reasons:
Providing Shade: Trees provide shade by blocking direct sunlight with their branches and leaves. This reduces the amount of solar radiation that reaches the ground and buildings, thereby lowering temperatures. By shading surfaces like roads, pavements, and buildings, trees prevent these surfaces from absorbing heat and subsequently radiating it back into the environment.
Evapotranspiration: Trees cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration, where water is evaporated from their leaves. This process not only cools the air but also increases humidity, which can reduce the air temperature by several degrees.
Carbon Dioxide Absorption: Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they contribute indirectly to a cooler environment over time.
Overall, trees are vital for mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect and enhancing the comfort of living and working in urban areas through their natural cooling mechanisms.
So, this summer, why not take a break from the heat and enjoy a picnic or read a book under a tree?
