#greenphilosophy

Urban reforestation is vital to both community and ecological health. Urban reforestation is economical and improves human health. Additionally, urban reforestation provides important resources to organisms living in an urban environment.

First, urban reforestation is economical. It was mentioned during our field trip on Friday that there is a four dollar return for every one dollar invested in urban reforestation. This economic advantage comes from the effectiveness of trees combating the urban heat island effect. By cooling temperatures, trees reduce the amount of energy needed to cool facilities. Furthermore, combating the urban heat island effect aids human health. Elderly, very young, and immune compromised members of the community are at a risk of sickness or even death as a result of overheating. Reforesting urban areas can have a measurable impact on preventing temperatures from reaching dangerous levels.

Second, urban reforestation is also economical through preventing storm water from overflowing runoff systems. Storm runoff carries pollutants such as oil, fertilizer, and litter into the water ways without treatment due to the impermeable surfaces in urban areas. Adding more trees and vegetation to urban areas will increase the absorption of storm water and reduce the amount of runoff polluting water ways. This has an economic gain because less money will need to be spent on cleanup efforts. It also clearly benefits the ecology of the area and water ways by potentially reducing the entry of hazardous chemicals and materials.

Finally, urban reforestation directly aids the ecological community by providing resources to organisms in urban areas and combating habit fragmentation. Increasing vegetation will provide habitat and food to native and migratory organisms. Reforesting urban areas is particularly important because these resources may be difficult to come by in that area. Furthermore, reforesting urban areas aids in connecting otherwise fragmented habitats.

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