A simple tree planting framework to improve climate, air pollution, health, and urban heat in vulnerable locations using non‐traditional partners

Abstract

Societal Impact Statement Planting trees is considered an effective method for climate change adaptation and mitigation. This framework provides a replicable blueprint to improve health, urban heat, flooding, and air pollution via a multisectoral, collaborative, environmental data‐driven approach. Native tree species with targeted ecosystem services are selected, and sites are strategically identified based on environmental and health benefits, with the intent of engaging community involvement through education and large‐scale tree plantings. Including non‐traditional partners in the framework provides heightened awareness of the relationship between climate change and health, thus catalyzing decision‐making regarding sustainable actions that reduce effects of climate change. This native tree planting framework is highly adaptable in other cities. Summary A multidisciplinary framework is presented for a data‐driven, climate change adaptation and climate change and air pollution mitigation project. This framework leverages heightened awareness of the connections between climate change, air pollution, and health to expand the cadre and societal impacts of those working to intervene in resilience planning and implementation. The framework, implemented in Houston, Texas, USA, beginning in 2019, consists of three parts: (1) identification of optimal native tree species for climate change adaptations and air pollution mitigation around variables important locally; (2) selection of large‐scale native tree planting locations where populations are already disproportionately experiencing flooding, increased heat, and air pollution‐related health effects that could be further exacerbated from climate change; and (3) engagement of multisectoral leadership broadened beyond those traditionally working on climate change resilience through heightening awareness of the link to human health. Native tree species were identified that had the highest combination of absorption of carbon dioxide, other air pollutants, and water absorption (aiding in flood adaptation and air pollution/heat mitigation). Thousands of the top tree species were planted in locations that experience substantial flooding during large rain events, have high rates of health effects exacerbated by air pollution (e.g., cardiac arrest and asthma attacks), and experience multiple days of elevated heat and air pollution. This multidisciplinary framework addresses a critical need to provide interventions accessible to the community; educate on the connection between climate change adaptation, air pollution mitigation, and health; and foster multisectoral leadership to accelerate local resilience actions.

Keywords

• air pollution
• carbon sequestration
• climate change
• ecosystem services
• human health
• population exposure