07/15/2026
Trees can play an important role in cooling cities, especially in areas where pavement and buildings absorb heat.
A new study found that tree cover offsets nearly half of the additional heating caused by the urban heat island effect across the world’s cities.
On average, trees cool cities by about 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit, largely by providing shade and releasing water v***r. Without that tree cover, researchers estimate that global cities would warm by about 0.56 degrees Fahrenheit due to urban heating.
But the benefits are not evenly distributed. Hotter and lower-income cities often have less tree cover, meaning the places most exposed to extreme heat may receive less cooling relief.
Researchers noted that while planting trees can help, it is not a complete solution. Water access, available land, local climate, and long-term maintenance all affect how much tree cover can realistically expand.
Still, the findings show how urban design, green space, and local environmental conditions can shape how people experience heat in cities.
Source:
Tree cover globally cools nearly half the warming from built-up cities, but it’s doing it more in richer, cooler areas and less in hotter poorer areas where it’s needed most.
