A tool for comparing canopy coverage of cities across the world. Tree canopy has major impacts on the livability of cities, particularly as the climate warms. The biggest benefits kick in around 30-40% coverage.
Seattle is 20%. Kinda surprising since the Pacific Northwest is so green. I guess there isn’t that many trees in the city core though.
Yeah, keep in mind that that’s across the whole city. Some neighborhoods may be much higher. My city is similar in the low 20’s but my specific neighborhood is more like 40. It can also feel a lot higher because public spaces tend to be more shaded–much of the uncanopied area can be back yards or building roofs.
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Too true!
Can we start a revolt of schoolkids to rewild their own schoolyards? In my country these are almost always awful, asphalted placed with only a few sad trees left.
Maybe! School districts are usually opposed to planting trees because of the maintenance costs but what they don’t know won’t hurt them…
It’s also possible to go through the system if the right political pressure is applied. This takes longer but then you don’t have the risk of unauthorized trees being removed which can happen with guerilla plantings.
I tend towards the latter strategy but I think separate people can definitely pursue both at the same time.
