Hey Danvers! Today, we are talking trees. Why they are great for our health, great for our environment, and great for our climate.
Did you know trees cover 42% of Danvers? Improving and expanding our tree canopy is beneficial for the environment and our health. The primary contribution that trees make to our public health is improved air quality. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants from the atmosphere, releasing oxygen in exchange. This process helps to reduce air pollution, which can alleviate respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases in humans.
Our environment benefits from our tree canopy too. Trees provide essential ecosystem services that support biodiversity and ecological balance. They serve as habitats for numerous species of animals, birds, and insects, playing a crucial role in preserving biodiversity. Additionally, tree roots stabilize soil, preventing erosion and protecting water quality by filtering pollutants from runoff. With flooding projected to become more frequent in the next decade, this erosion-stabilizing service trees provide is more important for our resilience than ever.
In more developed areas, trees offer shade and cooling effects, reducing the urban heat island effect and providing relief from high temperatures during summer months. This not only enhances the comfort of urban residents and builds community resilience to extreme heat, but also lowers energy consumption for cooling buildings, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Did you also know that trees contribute to climate change mitigation by acting as carbon sinks? They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass and soil, helping to offset the impacts of human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Increasing the global tree cover is essential for sequestering more carbon and combating climate change.
Beyond their environmental benefits, trees also have significant socio-economic impacts. They enhance property values, attract tourism, and provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and quality of life in communities. Right now, 53% of Danvers residents live within 10 minutes walk to a local park. We want to take steps so that all residents have easy access to local natural areas like parks so everyone can benefit from our amazing trees and open spaces!
Take action for our trees:
Request a street tree from the DPW
Learn about Native Landscaping