WE are in an emergency. We need to act before it is too late. Every week, new heat records are being set in different parts of the world. The Earth is growing hotter; more so in cities. When we remove vegetation and trees and replace them with concrete, we make environments warmer. Communities surrounded by roads experience the "urban heat island" effect, where pavements absorb heat when the sun is out and then release it the rest of the day. One way to counter this is by growing shade trees and greenery on every street, creating as many green corridors as possible in every city.

Trees absorb carbon and make local environments cooler. Foliage lowers local temperatures through a process called evapotranspiration. Leaves also reflect solar energy. A scientific article confirms that adding tree canopies in cities — which cool the air and prevent pavements from absorbing heat — is one of the best weapons against global warming. The French environmental agency, ADEME, estimates that a mature tree has the same cooling effect as five air-conditioners.

Premium + Digital Edition

Ad-free access


P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
  • Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
  • Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)

TRY FREE FOR 14 DAYS
See details
See details