Parks Can Climate-Proof Cities

Scientists say a modest increase in the number of urban parks and street trees in major U.S. cities could offset decades of predicted temperature rises. Greenroofs will add to the cooling effect as well.

A University of Manchester study has calculated that a mere 10 percent increase in the amount of green space in built-up centers would reduce urban surface temperatures by as much as 4???????(R)???????+?C. This 4???????(R)???????+?C drop in temperature, which is equivalent to the average predicted rise through global warming by the 2080s, is caused by the cooling effect of water as it evaporates into the air from leaves and vegetation through a process called transpiration.

The research also examined the effect increased green space would have on the amount of rainwater urban areas retain, as opposed to the large proportion of rainwater that is run-off into drains, streams and rivers.