October 09, 2018

Pave the way to greener cities

tags:	#green cities, #urban trees, #climate change, #clean air, #clean water, #trees, #The Nature Conservancy
located:	USA
by:	Yair Oded

As the global community faces the dire consequences of climate change, residents of urban areas grapple with a particular set of challenges. Cities currently grow at a dazzling pace. It has been reported that by 2050, two thirds of the world’s population will reside in urban centers. As cities rapidly increase in size, so does their footprint, which puts millions of urban residents across the globe at risk of deteriorating human health and safety due to the contamination of air, water, and land.

The Nature Conservancy, an organization committed to tackling climate change by spreading knowledge, promoting education, and facilitating practical actions on the issue, has launched an initiative aimed at building healthy cities.  The organization provides valuable information and key strategies on how to develop an environmentally conscious and responsible urban community. For instance, their Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities Tree Health Initiative organizes local communities and guides them on how to increase greenery and plant healthy trees around their city. By circulating information on the importance and benefits of trees as tools to clean our air, water, and ultimately food supplies, and providing extensive training for local community leaders and members on how to plant and maintain the health of trees in their neighborhoods, The Nature Conservancy encourages city residents to take matters into their hands and actively work to achieve a greener future.

The Nature Conservancy’s Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities program is part of a large scale initiative launched by them called Plant a Billion Trees, which takes action to restore the health of forests across the United States, China, and Brazil.

The organization’s virtual Carbon Calculator, assesses one’s annual carbon footprint based on their lifestyle, level of income, and consumption habits, well as provides a personalised guide on how to take action to reduce their footprint.

In addition to providing practical tools and information to local community members and city residents, the Nature Conservancy advocate for environmental agendas to be translated into national policy, and urge their supporters to apply pressure on their local representatives to take an active stance in the fight against climate change.   

Visit their website to learn more about the organization’s work in both urban centers and on the global stage, make a donation, or get involved.