While urban greening can help mitigate extreme heat, such spaces are not distributed equitably
It has been a summer of heatwaves in western Europe, with record highs of 46C (115F) in Spain and Portugal.
An estimated 2,300 people died of heat-related causes across 12 European cities in June, according to a rapid scientific analysis, with two-thirds of those deaths linked to climate breakdown, which has made heatwaves more severe.
While green spaces can help mitigate extreme heat, a recent study shows that urban green spaces are not distributed equitably.
Nearly 80% of the population of western Europe live in urban areas, and the urban heat island effect turns those cities into pressure cookers during a heatwave. Street trees, parks and green roofs can significantly lower temperatures, and many cities are planting more trees and creating green spaces.
