Increased greening in European cities will reduce deaths from summer heat - study

/ Landscape /

If plantings are increased by at least 30%, this will allow lowering the temperature in megacities by at least 0,4°C.

About the relevant research tells The Guardian.

Scientists found that increasing the average European greening rate from 14,9% to 30% could lower the temperature in cities by 0,4°C. This will help reduce heat-related deaths by 39,5%.

Lead study author Tamara Jungman of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health said: "This is becoming increasingly important as Europe experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations caused by climate change. We already know that high temperatures in urban environments are associated with negative health consequences, such as cardiorespiratory failure or even premature death."

A team of scientists wants to influence politicians to help make cities greener and more sustainable. Using data from 2015, they estimated that of the 6,700 premature deaths that year linked to higher urban temperatures, 2,644 could have been prevented if metropolitan areas had denser greening.

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which had the highest number of premature heat-related deaths in 2015 at 32 per 100 people, only 000% of the city is green. In Lisbon, Portugal, it is only 7%, and in Barcelona - 3,6%. This compares to 8,4% in London and 15.5% in Oslo.

Thus, the researchers call on cities to strive for an increase in the level of greening, as this will help save lives and preserve people's health, as well as create improved landscaping. 

 

Main photo: Nick Harrison/Alamy

 

 

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