European Countries Plant Trees to Reduce Deaths Caused by Heat Waves

European countries plan to plant more trees to reduce deaths caused by heat waves over summer times.

A study conducted by many researchers in Barcelona, Spain, said that data from 93 European cities, revealed that one-third of the deaths attributed to high temperatures can be avoided by planting trees and plants in 30% of the urban areas.

Marc Nieuwenhuijsen, director of urban planning, environment, and health at the Barcelona Health Institute, said heat exposure to heat waves was linked to premature death, heart, and respiratory disease, and hospitalization. This is especially true with heat waves, but it also happens with moderately high temperatures in summer, according to the Spanish newspaper 20 Minotos.

The study authors noted that these findings highlight the need to integrate more sustainable and climate-resilient strategies into local policy decisions to contribute to climate change adaptation and improve population health.