A Cooling Effect

While trees contribute positively to the environment in many ways, one of the most substantial is the impact they have on heat islands. Heat islands are areas within cities that experience higher temperatures due to buildings, roads, and infrastructure that absorb and produce more heat than areas with more natural elements. Model projections from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change show that Iowa may become much hotter in the future — with 5–15 days each year reaching over 106 degrees Fahrenheit between the years 2041–2060 — should emissions continue to rise rapidly. While this impacts all, those living in heat islands are impacted most substantially.

Trees can cool our surroundings by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit by shading surfaces as well as releasing water vapor through their leaves. Even small trees help, cooling us off when they release water vapor. As the newly planted trees in Cedar Rapids mature over the years, the cooling effect they produce will increase. As a result of their ability to cool surfaces and provide shade, trees have been shown to provide substantial energy cost savings each year. Placed near buildings, trees can reduce airconditioning needs by up to 30 percent.

The ReLeaf plan’s projected 42,000 trees planted in 10 years will have a significant impact on cooling the community. For an even greater impact, the ReLeaf plan — which is part of our Community Climate Action Plan — identified neighborhoods in the community where trees could provide the quickest effect on heat islands and prioritized those as early planting locations. A map showing these locations can be found at CityofCR.com/ReLeaf.

OTHER WAYS TREES HELP:

Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) acting as the environment’s lungs, storing carbon in their trunks, roots, and branches, and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. According to the European Environment Agency and the Nature Conservancy, the lifestyle of an average global resident results in as much carbon released into the atmosphere as can be stored by 165 mature trees.

Trees provide other important ecosystem services, including improving soil quality, controlling stormwater, and providing wildlife habitat.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Residents of Cedar Rapids can help by planting trees and nurturing them to make sure they thrive. This includes making sure that trees are well hydrated by watering young trees when they need it. Watch for information from the City, Trees Forever, and Monarch Research as we restore the urban canopy.

Find details about the ReLeaf plan at CityofCR.com/ReLeaf.