urban greenery and urban forests are important af.
they prevent flooding, as pictured in the image above, by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground instead of pooling and flooding.
they significantly lower temperatures and reduce the heat island effect, something we will need more and more as the climate gets hotter, by providing shade and releasing water vapour (tree sweat.) this also helps reduces the energy use from air conditioning, saves lives, and improves quality of life.
a lot of wealthier neighbourhoods have more greenery than underserved poorer neighbourhoods and those in poorer neighbourhoods are less likely to have air conditioning which causes more deaths, and reduces human health in general. so it is also an inequality issue.
vegetation absorbs pollutants and improves air quality. forests are carbon sinks that pull planet heating chemicals out of the atmosphere and store them in the soil. forests are vital in the fight against climate change.
native tree species provide shelter and food for wildlife and planting native gardens and allowing native wild greenspaces is vital for pollinators which are vital for everything else alive.
spending time outdoors boosts mental health. urban farms produce nutritious food. outdoor greenspaces give people places to be active and shade produced by trees make it easier (and more fun) to walk places. its better for human health in nearly every way.
more greenery has even been shown to reduce crime.
and for all the spreadsheet-money-brained people out there: its good for the economy too. according to a recent study, for every dollar put into parks and recreation and greenspaces, cities reap $3 in local economic benefits as they attract locals and tourists into surrounding neighbourhoods to shop or eat.
basically, there is no good fucking reason not to plant more trees, grow more gardens, and allow more natural green spaces.
