The Philippines Needs More Urban Forests

As a student, you may have had your face to face classes cancelled recently. Over 5,288 schools suspended in-person classes due to the increasing heat index, affecting over 3.6 million students. To some, getting to stay home instead of going to school in this weather is joyful news. However, this raises concerns in terms of the weather.

How can we combat the extreme heat in the Philippines?

The answer may be right outside, the greens in the concrete jungle you pass by are what we call, urban forests. It comprises of trees and greenery within city limits, including those along streets, in parks, and backyards. The tree canopy, which has vegetation coverage visible from above, is a critical component of urban forests.

Why Urban Forests Matter

Natural Air Conditioners: Urban forests act as natural air conditioners, lowering local land temperatures by an impressive 5-6°C on days of extreme heat.

Reduced Energy Consumption: By providing shade to homes and buildings, urban forests help reduce the need for air conditioning, leading to significant energy savings.

Improved Quality of Life: Beyond temperature reduction, urban forests enhance our quality of life by providing green spaces for recreation and relaxation.

How Urban Forests Work

Shade and Evapotranspiration: Trees form a natural canopy that shades the ground and cools the air. They also release moisture, further cooling the environment.

Carbon Sequestration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, helping fight climate change and improving air quality in cities.

Community Health Benefits: Urban forests contribute to both mental and physical health. Studies show that spending time in green spaces like urban forests reduces stress and encourages physical activity, leading to healthier communities.

Cities are experiencing rising temperatures due to climate change, with urban areas particularly vulnerable to the heat island effect caused by the abundance of pavement and lack of greenery. Urban heat islands contribute to higher temperatures in city centers compared to surrounding areas.

Who knew climate change would be a reason to ditch classes with permission and stay home? While it can be happy news, we should still be conscious of our carbon footprint and take initiation in planting more trees as well as pushing for more urban forests.

Love FiveBites? Share the vibes! 🚀 Share the link!✨