A study of 93 European cities, including Geneva, Basel, and Zurich, reckons that upping the level of urban tree coverage could save thousands of lives.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Español
es
Estudio: Más árboles en las ciudades podrían salvar vidas durante las olas de calor
The modelling study published on Tuesday in The Lancet journal estimated that raising the urban tree coverage to 30% – from the current average of 14.9% – could help to reduce temperatures by o.4°C during summer heatwaves.
As such, one-third of the 6,700 heat-related deaths in the 93 cities in 2015 could have been avoided, according to the researchers.
“We already know that high temperatures in urban environments are associated with negative health outcomes, such as cardiorespiratory failure, increased hospital admissions and premature deaths,” lead researcher Tamara Iungman said in a press release.
“Our goal is to inform local policies and decision makers about the benefits of strategically integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to promote more sustainable, resilient and healthy urban environments.”
Swiss trio
In Zurich in 2015, 10 deaths could have been prevented, in Geneva five, and in Basel three, the authors calculated. The Swiss cities have vegetation cover rates of 12%, 14% and 24% respectively.
Temperatures in urban areas are also markedly higher than in the rural zones around them: 1.5°C on average across Europe. In Zurich, this value in 2015 was 2.5°C, but this could be lowered by o.5°C by doubling the amount of trees and vegetation.
The study found that the southern and eastern regions of Europe are most affected by these problems. Cluj-Napoca in Romania recorded the highest difference between urban and rural temperatures, at 4.1°C.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Zurich cannabis study receives positive assessment
This content was published on
Health officials in the city of Zurich have given a positive assessment of a controlled study into the recreational use of cannabis, one year after it was launched.
This content was published on
Electricity prices will fall by an average of 10% for Swiss households in 2025, the Federal Electricity Commission ElCom reported on Thursday.
‘Inclusion initiative’ submitted to Swiss Federal Chancellery
This content was published on
Civil society groups handed in 108,000 signatures for their "inclusion initiative" to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Thursday.
Expert group proposes CHF4-5bn of cuts to Swiss federal budget
This content was published on
A Swiss government-appointed group of experts has proposed a series of over 60 measures to help get federal finances get out of the red and save CHF4-5 billion a year.
Saas Valley in southern Switzerland remains isolated after landslide
This content was published on
Storms and heavy rain have triggered a landslide that closed the main cantonal road into the Saas Valley in southern Switzerland on Thursday.
Swiss prosecutor demands 14-year prison sentence for Sperisen
This content was published on
A Swiss prosecutor has demanded a 14-year sentence against Erwin Sperisen, former head of the Guatemalan National Civil Police.
This content was published on
Logitech International co-founder Daniel Borel's attempt to oust Wendy Becker, chair of the board of directors, has once again failed.
This content was published on
The storms in June and July caused damages estimated at CHF125 million ($147 million) for canton Valais in southern Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland’s forests of the future
This content was published on
Which trees will be able to guarantee the functions of the forest 100 years from now? Switzerland is looking for answers by planting exotic species.
Most effective way to fight global warming? Plant trees
This content was published on
An area of 900 million hectares could be planted with at least one trillion trees around the world to effectively combat global warming.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.