1treellion.org Global Funds

🌳 Urban Forests: Natural Solutions to Urbanization & Climate Change 🌍 As cities expand and climate challenges intensify, urban forests are crucial in mitigating these effects. Trees in urban environments not only combat rising temperatures but also improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide mental health benefits to residents. Investing in green spaces is a powerful way to create sustainable, resilient cities for the future. Explore the full article on how urban forests can reshape our cities: https://lnkd.in/e6mDwxp5 #UrbanForests #ClimateAction #Sustainability #GreenCities #1treellion #forest #urbandesign #climatechange #heatwave #nature #naturebasedsolutions

As Phoenix recently hit its 100th consecutive day of temperatures above 100°F, the extreme heat is causing serious health risks for children. Parents recall frightening moments of children passing out from heat-related illnesses. Asphalt-heavy schoolyards, with no shade or green spaces, are amplifying the problem. This highlights the urgent need for more trees in urban environments. Trees offer essential shade, lower temperatures, and protect children from dangerous heat, helping create safer outdoor spaces for everyone. We are happy to see states like California seeing the value in tree planting as one of the mitigating solutions and hope to see more cities and states follow the trend. https://lnkd.in/eGbAR9fJ #climatechange #heat #heatwave #education #health #children #naturebasedsolutions #trees #playground #classroom #cooling #naturebasedsolutions

The role of urban forests extends far beyond aesthetics — they are critical components in addressing climate change and enhancing public health. Let's dive in deeper... https://lnkd.in/e6mDwxp5 #climatechange #urbandesign #city #heatwave #urbanforest #climateaction #nature #trees #forest

Food-sourcing from on-farm trees mediates positive relationships between tree cover and dietary quality in Malawi This particular study considers the often overlooked role of trees in serving as food sources and their impact on improving the diets of local residents. Trees provide fruits, nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables to communities around the world. The researchers focused their study in Malawi, a small country in Southeastern Africa where 51% of the population is food-insecure. Looking at the lives and health of 460 women in the country, researchers found houses with greater surrounding tree cover were associated with higher levels of micronutrients sufficiency among these women. This includes vital vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin A, and iron. This is because those with substantial tree cover are more likely to rely on the food that can be sourced from said trees. These findings are incredibly important as they provide the necessary knowledge to support more tree planting in food insecure communities. Integrating trees into agricultural landscapes can reduce food insecurity and improve the health of citizens. When engaging in reforestation, prioritizing the nutritional benefits of trees and their products is essential. 1treellion understands the vital role that trees play in communities around the world. From supporting climate change resilience and increasing carbon sequestration to serving as valuable food sources, the importance of trees cannot be overemphasized. This is why many of the tree species that we plant at our sites provide either culinary or medicinal uses. To read the study: https://lnkd.in/eMTa-iHH #1treellion #foodsecurity #climateresilience #science #tree #forest #food

**Lessons From a Burning Forest** Forest fires tend to be thought of as solely destructive and dangerous natural disasters, but they can also utilized to revitalize forests. It’s a practice that indigenous peoples have been engaging in for centuries called cultural burns. These burns are used to limit forest fuel and prevent larger, more dangerous fires. Traditional fire-management practices were done in the springtime, when grass was dry but forests were still wet, helping to protect trees, homes, and communities. In the 1800s, Canada began to ban cultural burns and fined those that took part in them. The justification for the ban is in contrast to the evidence published in the journal Nature that found that fire suppression actually increased the risk of wildfires in Canadian boreal forests. For example, in 2024, Jasper, Alberta lost one-third of its buildings to wildfires, but it was prescribed burns that were named as the key preventative measure that saved 70% of the town. The author of the article visited Canada’s boreal forests that were destroyed in the record-breaking wildfires of 2023, and observed the near-total destruction of these vital carbon sinks. This evidence points to the fact that cultural burns are not only important in promoting forest health but also help to prevent wildfires. With climate change intensifying natural disasters, it’s important that we take every step possible to mitigate damages. Our forests are vital, and we must protect them at all costs. To read the article: https://lnkd.in/ghiQQsGp #1treellion #wildfires #culturalburns #climatereslience

Perennial grains, plants that can be harvested year after year, are an example of a sustainable agricultural solution. In contrast to most food crops which are annuals and require annual replanting, perennials improve soil health, conserve water, and can increase climate resilience. Incorporating perennial grains in agroforestry systems can be incredibly beneficial. Trees provide shade and protection from extreme weather while the grains promote soil health and fertility. There is also greater potential for carbon sequestration as perennial plants undergo photosynthesis for longer periods throughout the year and increase the soil’s capacity to store carbon. The synergy between perennial grains and trees would reduce environmental impact by minimizing need for water and fertilizer, as well as supporting diverse ecosystems. This article emphasizes the importance of working in conjunction with nature, rather than in opposition. With agriculture being a high emission and polluting industry, any sustainable practices that can be implemented should be adopted. The research advocates for greater planting of perennial grains in conjunction with trees as a method of increasing climate resiliency. To read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eDNZxADu #1treellion #perennials #agroforestry #climatereslience

Forests don’t just absorb CO2 — they also take up methane When discussing forests, their capacity as carbon sinks is often emphasized. However this particular study looks at the role of trees in the global methane cycle and their potential as methane sinks. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 80 times the global warming potential than that of carbon dioxide, but it has a significantly shorter atmospheric lifetime than CO2. Nevertheless, methane is responsible for 23% of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas warming since 1750. The most understood method of methane sequestration in the terrestrial biome is methane uptake in soil, where bacteria consume methane in the top layer of soil. There were a few prior studies that also reported methane uptake by tree stems and branches. To gather evidence to support this, the researchers utilized advanced gas analyzers that measured the methane variability at different heights of the trees to determine levels of uptake. The estimated global methane uptake of forests is 24.6-49.9 teragrams per year, comparable to that of soils. There was also found to be a positive correlation between methane uptake and mean annual temperature, meaning that climate should be considered when generalizing findings to other regions. While there are limitations to this study as it was a relatively small sample size, the sentiment remains that methane is an incredibly potent greenhouse gas that has substantial global warming potential. The knowledge that not only do forests serve as carbon sinks but also take up methane emphasizes their vital role in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and mitigating the impacts of climate change. To read the study: https://lnkd.in/dq6BpMwc #1treellion #treeplanting #methanesinks #climatechange

Assisted tree migration can preserve the European forest carbon sink under climate change European forests, which cover 35% of total land surface and store ~9.8 Tg of carbon, face severe threats due to climate change.  As global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, these forests’ ability to serve as carbon sinks may be compromised. This study considers how assisted migration–the intentional relocation of tree species and seeds to more suitable ecosystems–could protect forests and enhance their resilience. Assisted migration offers a solution to increasing forest resilience by introducing species that are better adapted to future climates. The concern of transferring seed provenances isn’t without risks though, as there is potential for a decrease in the current carbon sink if the seed provenances are unable to adapt to current climates. The study acknowledges that it only considers a few specific species, and there is no way to ensure this would be effective for all tree species.  Nevertheless, the results provide compelling evidence that seed provenance is one of the more influential factors in absorbing carbon dioxide. While assisted tree migration is an exciting potential for maintaining and expanding carbon sinks, more common expansion methods like  forest restoration and climate change mitigation remain critical.  These solutions cannot be understated and need to be implemented now to prevent further degradation.  As 1treellion continues to plant trees, we are actively contributing to global carbon sinks while simultaneously supporting local communities. To read study: https://lnkd.in/dYMnUM3U #1treellion #forestrestoration #reforestation #naturebasedsolutions

First U.S. Vascular Plant Extirpation Linked to Sea Level Rise: The Key Largo Tree Cactus in the Florida Keys Global biodiversity loss is an issue impacting ecosystems and species around the world. The destruction of species and their habitats has been the primary cause, with factors like climate and rising sea levels exacerbating these issues. The Florida Keys, a series of low-lying islands off the coast of Florida, are particularly at risk. Currently, the Keys are home to a diverse cactus population. One species in specific, the Key Largo tree cactus, has faced extinction due to rising sea levels. Biodiversity is a known environmental plight, one that has resulted in 65 different vascular plants taxa being reported as globally extinct in the U.S. and Canada. In southern Florida alone, 77 vascular plant taxa are at serious risk of being extirpated from the region. Threats from sea level rise include rising tides, saltwater intrusion, and habitat erosion, all of which pose a threat to the plants’ ability to survive. The combination of these factors proved to be too much for the Key Largo tree cactus. Luckily prior to its extinction, conservation efforts took place in an attempt to protect the cactus by rescuing stem fragments and propagating them in local nurseries. The repository holds 36 salvaged fragments, 25 seedlings, and over 1,000 seeds stored for long-term preservation. While these conservation efforts are important, it speaks to the bigger issue of addressing biodiversity and habitat loss before the situation turns dire. Planting trees and protecting forests can prevent further degradation of ecosystems and support the survival of diverse species. To read the journal: https://lnkd.in/g4_TjVrc Photo Credit: Brian Harding #1treellion #climatechange #endangeredspecies #forests #floridakeys

Mitigating urban heat island through neighboring rural land cover The urban heat island (UHI) effect is the phenomenon where temperatures in cities measure significantly higher than in rural areas due to less tree cover and a greater amount of dark surfaces that absorb and radiate heat. This study looks at the potential of neighboring rural land cover in mitigating the urban heat island effect. The researchers aimed to answer two main questions: (1) what is the effective location of rural land cover to mitigate UHI, and (2) what are the necessary parameters of the rural landscape that influence UHI mitigation? To conduct the study, researchers examined the relationship between rural land cover and UHI in 30 Chinese cities from 2000 and 2020. They considered the impact of both the number and proximity of the surrounding landscape or green spaces. The research conducted over the course of two decades found that rural land cover does play a significant role in mitigating UHI in cities as it helps to absorb and circulate heat. The land cover that extended from the cities’ boundaries and were half as long as the city itself were the most effective. They were also able to determine that continuity and closeness of land cover are both more effective in reducing UHI. It is well known that greater tree cover in urban environments can provide shade and help to lower temperatures in cities. Especially with heatwaves becoming increasingly common and intense, the importance of urban tree cover cannot be understated. This study introduces the idea that neighboring rural land cover can also help to reduce UHI and the sweltering temperatures that many cities experience in the summer months. The common solution is planting more trees, something that 1treellion has been committed to doing worldwide over the past four years. We understand the invaluable role that trees play in communities and use our time and resources to share their benefits. To read the study: https://lnkd.in/dgKqPzvg #urbanheatislandeffect #1treellion #plantmoretrees #climateresilience