21 de November de 2017

#Inspiration

Trees in cities: public health measure

Imagine if cities were able to find just one measure to reduce obesity and depression, increase productivity and well-being, and decrease the incidence of asthma and heart disease in their inhabitants? Urban trees offer all these benefits! In addition, they filter the air, helping to remove the fine particles emitted by cars and factories, retain the rainwater and reduce the expenses with heating.

In a new report by the organization The Nature Conservancy, scientists argue that trees in cities are a part of an indispensable strategy for improving public health. Every year, air pollution and its impacts on human health threaten the lives of 3 to 4 million people worldwide. Air pollution increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and hot flashes in urban areas also make thousands of victims. Several studies have shown that planting trees in cities can reduce all these problems.

Despite the indications of all studies regarding the benefits of green spaces, many cities still haven’t associated the health of the residents with the presence of trees in the urban environment. Robert McDonald, a scientist at The Nature Conservancy, advocates the need for cooperation between different departments and the inclusion of nature in urban planning debates. The report also says that investment in planting new trees has been declining. American cities have been spending less on tree planting than in previous decades. Other studies also showed that urban trees have significant monetary value. According to a US Forest Service study, each dollar spent on tree planting has a return of about US$ 5.82 in public benefits. For Robert McDonald, the key is to link urban trees to positive effects on mental and physical health. “One of the major goals of this report is to get various health services to see that they should be participating in the discussion to make cities greener,” he said. “Urban trees can not be considered a luxury since they are an essential element for a healthy and livable community and a key strategy for improving public health.”

 

Curta o projeto no Facebook