New research from the Nature Conservancy finds that urban trees can help save millions of lives worldwide.
The report looked at the impact trees have in the urban environment in some of the world's largest cities. Nature Conservancy scientist Rob McDonald said trees can help reduce the impact of two major causes of health problems in cities: pollution and heat.
Both threaten the lives of millions of people each year.
"The average reduction in temperature is between two and four degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. And the average reduction in particulate matter is up to a quarter of it is reduced, so there's some real benefits provided to folks in cities that I think maybe people forget about," said McDonald.
Strategically placed trees can absorb polluting particles and provide shade that keeps concrete from soaking up heat from the sun, McDonald said.
Trees can deliver those benefits without become a huge burden on local water supplies.
"You can target certain locations where they're going to give you the most benefit, then only have a few trees and not a big water budget," McDonald said.
Trees will not solve all the environmental challenges facing the world's cities, but McDonald said they are part of the solution.
