Urban Forests for People and Climate Change

As the climate warms, we can expect more frequent storms with greater intensity and higher rainfall. Urban forests will play a vital role in addressing the challenges of our changing climate. However, the benefits of urban forests are not shared equally, with significant disparities in green spaces across suburbs in our cities.

Studies conducted overseas show a strong link between better health outcomes and living in areas with more tree cover. Unfortunately, in Australia, the most disadvantaged communities often have the least access to green spaces and tree canopy.

Dr. Moore highlighted the “3:30:300” rule as a guideline for optimal urban tree coverage. This means that everyone should be able to see at least three trees from their home, their property should have 30% tree canopy cover, and green recreational spaces should be accessible within 300 meters of their home.

Interestingly, research has also shown that property values increase when there are trees on the property—up to a canopy cover of 30%. Beyond this, property values may decrease, as people desire trees but not dense forest-like coverage in residential areas.

One of the critical challenges we face is the lack of public land to meet the 300-meter green space target in urban areas. Alarmingly, urban vegetation is being cleared instead of expanded. This trend will exacerbate heatwave-related deaths, as seen in the 2009 Black Saturday heatwave in Victoria, where more people died from heat-related causes than in the bushfires.

Public policy must urgently recognize the significant benefits of urban vegetation and place a value on trees as public assets. Trees offer a multitude of advantages, including:

• Enhancing the recreational value of open spaces.
• Reducing social disadvantages and improving health outcomes in areas with greater tree cover.
• Lowering electricity bills when two trees are present on a property.
• Extending the lifespan of bitumen roads.
• Capturing atmospheric carbon, particularly once trees are older than 25 years.

To encourage greater appreciation and preservation of trees, Dr. Moore suggested rewarding tree owners to help people see trees as valuable assets rather than inconveniences. He emphasized that tree removal is effectively theft from future generations.

Some fears surrounding trees, such as their perceived danger to people and property, need to be addressed. Dr. Moore humorously compared this fear to the irrational fears many have of sharks, pointing out that far more deaths are caused by cars, ladders, couches, and even toilets than by trees.

For members familiar with Professor Michelle Leishman’s research into the urban heat island effect and the search for ideal street trees for 2050, many of Dr. Moore’s ideas will resonate.

For a more detailed paper by Dr. Greg Moore on this subject, click here.