New study shows
Trees reduce urban heat deaths by a third
Planting more trees in cities could reduce heat-related deaths by around a third, according to a study in The Lancet. Heat deaths were examined in 93 cities in Europe, including Zurich, Geneva and Basel.
Trees in cities, like this tree in Geneva, can significantly lower summer temperatures, according to a new study. (archive image)
The model calculations showed that the planting would have to be increased to around 30 percent of the area in cities. On average, this would lower the temperature by 0.4 degrees Celsius during the hot summer months.
According to the study, there are currently trees on just under 15 percent of the area in urban regions in Europe.
The study examined 6,700 deaths directly related to high temperatures in 93 cities in Europe in 2015. A third of them could have been prevented by appropriate tree planting, write the scientists led by Tamar Iungman from the Institute for Global Health in Barcelona.