Hundreds of communities around the country will share more than $1 billion in federal money to help them plant and maintain trees under a federal program that is intended to reduce extreme heat, benefit health and improve access to nature.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce the $1.13 billion in funding for 385 projects at an event Thursday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The tree plantings efforts will be focused on marginalized areas in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and some tribal nations.

“We believe we can create more resilient communities in terms of the impacts of climate,” Vilsack told reporters in previewing his announcement. “We think we can mitigate extreme heat incidents and events in many of the cities.”

  • HeartyBeast@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    It’s pretty amazing how effective trees are at cooling street temperatures. Also capture some particulates.

    The key is to make sure they are looked after.

    • Swim@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      the key was the plant them 40 years ago, but instead they doubled down and increased densification.

      • HeartyBeast@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        You’ll be surprised how fast a decent-sized tree can start producing useful shade. Put in something about 6ft and 5 years later it will be making a difference.

  • daneBramage@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I spent 30 years in Brisbane which has the most green space of any city in the world. My asthma cleared up 3 years after moving there.

  • MisterD@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Nice but it’s a band-aid.

    Prevent the storage of heat in cities.

    • metal roofs
    • light colors (aka No Black)