A study conducted with data from 93 European cities, A third of deaths attributable to the ‘heat island’ effect could be prevented if trees cover 30% of the urban area. The need to increase wooded areas in cities gains special importance. Spain, where most of its capitals have a much higher heat death rate to the rest of Europe “heat island” effect. This is a typical temperature rise in cities compared to the rural environment.
more than that four percent of deaths in cities in the summer urban heat islandsand according to a published modeling study, a third of these deaths could be prevented by achieving 30% tree cover. Lancet and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation. The results of the study obtained with the data, 93 European citieshighlights the important benefits of planting more trees in cities to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Heat exposure has been associated with premature death, cardiorespiratory illness, and hospitalizations. This is especially true for heat waves, but it also occurs at moderately high temperatures during the summer months. Cities are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures. Less vegetation, higher population density, and impermeable surfaces of buildings and streets, including asphalt, temperature difference between the city and the surrounding areasa phenomenon called urban heat island. Considering global warming and urban growth, this effect is expected to worsen in the next decades.
The study found that places with the highest heat-related mortality rates southern and eastern europe. “Spain is one of the countries with cities that have the greatest impact on mortality rates attributable to urban heat islands,” explains Iungman. Counties most affected Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, Seville and Valencia. “All these cities are one very low percentage of tree cover”, adds the expert.
These are the main data for Spanish cities analyzed with values much higher than most:
“Predictions based on current emissions suggest that heat-related illnesses and deaths will become a huge burden on our healthcare services in the coming years,” he says. tamara ungmanISGlobal researcher and first author of the study.
an international team led by Mark NieuwenhuijsenDirector of ISGlobal Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative death rates Persons aged 20+ residing in 93 European cities (a total population of 57 million) between June and August 2015 daily temperatures rural and urban of each city. Analyzes were performed at high resolution (250 m x 250 m areas). First, they estimated premature mortality by simulating a hypothetical scenario without an urban heat island. Second, they estimated reductions in temperatures and preventable deaths by increasing tree cover to 30%.
“Our aim is to inform those in charge of local governments about the advantages of integrating green spaces in all neighborhoods to promote more sustainable, resilient and healthy urban environments,” he explains. nieuwenhuijsen.
The protective effect of trees
The results are averaged by cities from June to August 2015. 1.5anyoneC hot than the surrounding areas 6,700 premature deaths attributable to the rise in urban temperatures. 4.3% of the total mortality rate in the summer and 1.8% of deaths during the year. One-third (2,644) of these deaths avoided by increasing tree cover by up to 30% urban area, This lowers temperatures. Overall, the cities with the highest extreme heat mortality rates were in southern and eastern Europe, where these cities would benefit most from increased tree cover.
The study highlights significant benefits of planting more trees in citiesalthough the authors acknowledge that in some cities this may be difficult due to their design and that tree planting should be combined with other interventions such as green roofs or other alternatives to lower temperatures.
ISGlobal researcher and first author of the article, tamara ungmanHe confirms to the SINC agency that: “All cities tend to be heat islands., but there is a lot of variation within the same city. For example, when we say parks are the lungs of the city, we also mean refreshing.”
“Our results also demonstrate our need to conserve and maintain the trees we already have because they are a valuable resource and new trees take a long time to grow. says Nieuwenhuijsen.
Analyzes were made with data from 2015 because population data for later years is not available, but as Iungman points out, the results can be generalized and the study provides valuable information for adapting and making our cities. more flexible the impact of climate change. “We’re just looking at the effect of trees on temperature here, but increasing green spaces in cities has many other health benefits, including increased life expectancy, reduced mental health issues, and improvements in people’s cognitive function,” he adds.
“Heat vulnerability varies from city to city, depending on a variety of factors. Understanding the benefits of policies such as increased tree cover can help to be knowledgeable about measures to reduce risks and prevent preventable deaths, especially with climate change,” he says. Antonio GaspariniProfessor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and co-author of the study.
full list with data from all analyzed cities: https://infogram.com/urban-heat-island-effect-in-europe-1hmr6g7rrvreo6n?live
Reference work: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2822%2902585-5/fulltext
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