DETROIT (AP) — Along a frequently traveled thoroughfare in west Detroit, those stopping for gas, visiting churches, or dropping kids off at daycare find little refuge from the persistent sun. However, recently planted trees along this stretch will soon provide both visual and environmental relief.

In Detroit and other cities, efforts are underway to introduce more trees and green spaces as a measure to mitigate the rising temperatures and increasingly severe heatwaves caused by global climate change.

The United Nations is calling for widespread adoption of sustainable cooling practices that won’t worsen environmental issues. This includes expanding urban greenery and incorporating reflective materials in building designs. In a report released Wednesday by the U.N. Environment Programme and the International Finance Corporation during the U.N. General Assembly, specific focus was put on funding these environmentally-friendly solutions for nations in development.

A meadow in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

This announcement is the latest part of a larger U.N. initiative aimed at reducing emissions from cooling technologies like air conditioners, increasing cooling efficiency standards, and phasing out harmful refrigerants. The overarching goal is to decrease cooling-related emissions to nearly zero by 2050.

“We are seeing unprecedented heat levels, and it’s crucial to protect people from extreme conditions,” said Lily Riahi, global coordinator for the U.N.-backed Cool Coalition. “But we need solutions that cool our cities and planet without exacerbating the climate crisis.”

A meadow at Riverside Park in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Globally, cooling technology accounts for 20% of all electricity use. Without intervention, the demand for cooling devices like air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050, further increasing energy consumption and the associated environmental toll, according to the U.N. Environment Programme.

Last year, the Global Cooling Pledge was introduced during the U.N. climate talks, aiming to limit cooling-related emissions. Among the 71 participating countries, the U.S. is recognized for leading efforts in using natural solutions to counter rising heat levels.

A major investment in urban forestry is taking place across the U.S. The Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, backed by a $1.5 billion investment through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, received a record number of grant applications as heat records toppled in 2023. Roughly 400 projects were approved for funding.

A “Bee City USA” sign in a meadow in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

In typical years, the Urban Forestry Program operates with a budget of about $40 million.

The primary challenge for most greening projects is the cost of planting and maintenance, according to Daniel Metzger of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. For projects requiring the removal of concrete or asphalt, these costs can skyrocket, as removing these materials can be one of the most significant expenses.

Urban areas are typically most vulnerable to the negative effects of extreme heat, with higher temperatures than nearby suburban neighborhoods due to heat-retaining materials. Trees and green spaces, however, can help by providing shade and significantly lowering air and surface temperatures.

Research from the Smart Surfaces Coalition shows that increasing a city's tree canopy by 10% can decrease local temperatures by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius). The group helps cities incorporate solutions such as reflective roofs, porous pavements, solar panels, and more greenery.

“We can’t fix this problem just by adding more air conditioners,” said Greg Kats, the coalition’s founder. “The solution is cooling entire cities.”

A bench in Callahan Park, Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

As Detroit expanded, it adopted vast concrete and industrial developments, losing large numbers of trees along the way. Once known as a “city of trees,” Detroit has seen many of its trees vanish due to construction, disease, or pests.

Now, the city is set to restore some of its former greenery, receiving $3 million under the urban forestry program to boost the number of trees in neighborhoods with sparse tree cover.

Resident Eric Jones, living in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood, noted that some people view street trees as a nuisance due to fallen leaves or the possibility of attracting animals like squirrels. But for Jones, 47, the benefits far outweigh those concerns. “You can really feel the difference in our neighborhood when there are trees, especially when I’m out for a walk or a jog,” he said, adding that the cooling effect is remarkable. Beyond comfort, trees help to improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff, absorb carbon, and even raise property values.

A meadow in Callahan Park, Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Crystal Perkins, Detroit’s Director of General Services, acknowledged that it will take some time for the city’s recently planted trees to bolster citywide benefits, as young trees need years to grow. Detroit’s current plan is to plant 75,000 trees over the next five years.

“We know that these efforts will bear fruit in the form of cooler spaces for future generations,” Perkins emphasized.

Meadows also play an important role in cooling efforts, particularly with their grasses and native plants, according to Lin Meng, assistant professor of Earth and environmental sciences at Vanderbilt University. These areas, like concrete alternatives, reflect sunlight and absorb less heat.

A meadow developed in Detroit’s Palmer Park in 2020 stands 6 feet high, showcasing a stunning blend of purple asters, yellow goldenrods, and Black-eyed Susans.

The Forestry Program focused on communities that have historically faced social and environmental challenges, especially areas that have been marginalized and overburdened by pollution. Homer Wilkes, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, acknowledged that extreme heat disproportionally impacts minority and low-income neighborhoods with fewer trees.

A meadow at Riverside Park in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Research has found that many communities inhabited predominantly by minorities saw fewer trees due to redlining policies that shaped investment decisions as early as the 1930s. A 2021 study published in NPJ Urban Sustainability observed that predominantly white neighborhoods had almost double the tree canopy compared to minority communities from that era.

“The lack of tree cover continues to echo redlining practices,” said study author Dexter Locke. “And with climate change, the danger of urban heat is higher, impacting those with fewer resources to cope, such as lacking access to air conditioning. It’s a stark environmental injustice.”

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a similar greening initiative seeks to address food insecurity while expanding tree cover. Supported by a $6 million U.S. Forest Service grant, nonprofit groups are planting citrus trees in public housing areas and educating local youth through an apprenticeship program focused on tree care.

Sage Roberts Foley, executive director of Baton Rouge Green, said, “This project is transforming landscapes on a citywide scale.”

Baton Roots farm manager, Jacquel Curry, praised the citrus initiative and appreciated the financial and environmental benefits it could bring, especially once the trees provide shade and become fruit-bearing.

“This is about reversing the negative impacts of not having enough trees in urban areas,” Curry said. “We’re dedicated to turning the tide on this.”

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McDermott reported from Providence, R.I. Associated Press Writer Jack Brook in New Orleans contributed to this report.

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