[Image description: an image from the movie Dazed and Confused with text that reads "'This summer is too hot'. Me: 'Have you ever planted trees?' 'No.' Me: 'Be a lot cooler if you did'"
this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2024
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Nature and Gardening
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Because of the shadow maybe. But it's practically impossible to offset the human carbon footprint with trees.
But they really help with microclimates. Shade and evaporation from their leaves make the air a lot cooler under the trees.
They also, through their roots, help water runoff to enter the ground and feed the groundwater table instead of creating erosion or floods.
Don't discount specific area cooling from transpiration, some papers suggest anywhere from .5°C - 4°C differences in temperature when adjusted for shade
They help significantly to combat the heat island effect in cities and provide shade and cooler microclimates for people to shelter in when it's hot.
Just try going to a shady tree-lined path vs. a paved treeless path on a sunny day and you'll be pretty clear on the meaning of this meme.
So yes we can't stop global warming with trees alone but we can mitigate the local effects of it all while providing habitat for birds and shade for people and lots of other benefits besides.
This article has a pretty good review if you want to take a look at some of the benefits! https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4371
And here's a more plain-language website about urban trees: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/the-power-of-urban-trees-2023
I have two potential routes for one specific part of my journey home from work. One is shaded, the other is not.
The difference in temperature I perceive is MASSIVE. Maybe the difference in air temperature isn't, but a couple of degrees difference in ambient temp + not having the sun actively microwave me adds up.
All that heat reflecting from the ground isn't getting you when it's shaded!