URBAN FORESTRY
Urban Forests Make Cities More Sustainable WRITERS: MICHELA CONIGLIARO & SIMONE BORELLI
By 2050, it is estimated that cities will host an additional 2.5 billion urban dwellers. Such rapid urbanization is likely to have a tremendous impact on the health of inhabitants, surrounding resources and the environment. Urban forests offer an effective solution for making cities healthier, safer, and more sustainable places for all.
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Cities consume around 80% of total energy produced in the world, emitting 75% of global carbon emissions and producing 70% of global waste. These figures are substantial considering cities only cover 3% of the Earth’s surface. But by 2050, it is estimated that cities will host additional 2.5 billion people with most urbanization occurring in midsized cities of less developed regions, notably in Africa and Asia. While trees and forests are typically among the first resources affected by urbanization, their preservation and management are key to mitigating the costly effects of urbanization.
SPRING 2019 REVOLVE | 61
