A decade after Louisville became the fastest-growing urban heat island in the US, a groundbreaking study shows that planting trees in underserved areas leads to health improvements by lowering inflammation rates among residents.
Linda Baker reports for Bloomberg.
In short:
- Louisville earned a $12.6 million federal grant to plant trees in low-income neighborhoods, reducing extreme heat and air pollution.
- The Green Heart Louisville study revealed a 13-20% reduction in inflammation markers among residents, reducing heart disease risks.
- The project pioneers using mature trees and data-driven planting to target areas most affected by air pollution.
Key quote:
“There is nowhere you can put a tree where it doesn’t improve the situation in terms of cooling and air quality.”
— Brian Stone, director of the Urban Climate Lab at Georgia Tech University
Why this matters:
The results are part of a growing body of research that suggests urban trees are more than just a way to beautify a neighborhood. They may be a prescription for better health, especially in marginalized communities facing higher pollution levels and rising temperatures. Read more: Trees, science and the goodness of green space.
