A new report that looks at the impact that trees have on our health finds we need to start planting more of them. The Planting Healthy Air study from The Nature Conservancy looked at the potential impact of planting trees in specific cities to lower heat and pollution, and how that could affect health, especially in regards to asthma. The group’s lead scientist, Rob McDonald, says trees provide shade and release water vapor into the air as they photosynthesize. Leaves remove particulate matter from the air around the trees, including toxins from auto exhaust and factory and power-plant emissions.
McDonald says heat waves are responsible for 12-thousand deaths each year, killing more people globally than hurricanes or winter storms. Additionally, three-point-two million deaths annually can be attributed to fine particulate matter, a component of smog. The report says by 2050 this type of pollution could kill six-point-two million people every year.
McDonald says elderly people face particular risk as the global climate shifts, and average summers temperatures increase.
The study found if cities around the world invested four dollars for every resident in tree planting, tens of millions of lives could be saved.