According to the UN, forests and trees store carbon, which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in and around urban areas. As well as, trees improve the local climate, helping to save energy used for heating by 20-50 per cent.
Forests in and around urban areas, help to filter and regulate water, contributing to high-quality freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Forests also protect watersheds and prevent flooding as they store water in their branches and soil.
UN has listed below mentioned points for town planners so that Forest and Cities can co-exist :-
- Strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 8 degrees Celsius, reducing air conditioning needs by 30 percent. Moreover, Urban trees are excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants in the air and fine particulates.
- Trees reduce noise pollution, as they shield homes from nearby roads and industrial areas. Further, local populations use the fruits, nuts, leaves and insects found in urban trees to produce food and medicines for use in the home, or as a source of income.
- Well-managed forests and trees in and around cities provide habitats, food and protection for many plants and animals, helping to maintain and increase biodiversity.
- Forests in cities and surrounding areas generate tourism and create tens of thousands of jobs.
“Lets make our cities greener, cleaner and happier to live in!”