News Environment

Heat waves cause more illness and death in U.S. cities with fewer trees

People of color shoulder the most burden, a new study finds

trees creating shade in New York City

Increasing tree canopy cover by even five percent could reduce heat-related health problems, particularly if the trees cast shade over pavement as they do on this street in New York City.

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

By Jude Coleman

In the United States, urban neighborhoods with primarily white residents tend to have more trees than neighborhoods whose residents are predominantly people of color.