Cities can reduce land surface temperature by up to 12%C with trees

We all know a few things about the mighty trees that grace our planet. They produce oxygen for other living creatures, they provide a habitat for countless numbers of creatures both great and small, and they're beautiful to look at. But in a city, trees can be a rarity. There's a great reason for city planners to consider adding swatches of trees however. They can reduce the overall land surface temperature by up to 12% C.
A recent study in 293 European cities looked at average land surface temperatures in cities that had areas of tree coverage and those that did not. By using satellite images and temperature gauges, there was a difference of up to 12% between the two types of city.
We know that the air temperature in cities is higher than rural areas because of things like asphalt and cement interacting with the light to create more heat that releases into the air. But this study showed that not only do trees make the air temperatures cooler but they also significantly reduce the temperature of what's underneath our feet on land as well.
With climate change impacting all living things and global temperatures increasing at an alarming rate, people who live in cities are more likely to feel that impact. A simple solution like planting trees seems to be an easily attainable goal to provide citizens with some much needed relief and helping to positively impact the environment at the same time.
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