Now that you're completely aware of urban heat island effects, it's time to start thinking about some potential solutions. Watch this video about tree superpowers, and then answer the questions in the notes box, below.
As you view the animation, look for definitions of glossary terms; in addition to the ones that appeared in the previious video, the terms evaporation and transpiration will be described.
Stop the animation at anytime, watch it as many times as you like, or read the transcript.
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Trees have a superpower. Not only do they feed us, and generally make our lives easier. Trees make our urban environments safer for us to live in and they do this in a few different ways.
Trees keep things cool.
In the heat-trapping/radiating/producing urban environment, trees provide shade.
Trees provide surface area (soil, leaves, branches, etc) for the cooling effects of evaporation.
And trees transpire (transpiration) - basically the vegetative version of sweating. Water is absorbed through roots, released through leaves, and evaporates, taking heat with it.
Trees can reduce surface temps a whopping 20 ℉ (12 celsius) when conditions are right.
Trees keep things clean.
They absorb CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, they release oxygen, and they filter the air of numerous pollutants, all of which improves air quality.
Trees also do the same with water. They soak up excess stormwater, so things don’t flood, and they filter that water as they do, which improves water quality.
And trees keep things beautiful. Whether it’s providing habitat for wildlife, or boosting our mood, trees provide more for our well-being than we might realize.
So go ahead, hug that tree.
Type your response to the following prompt in the Notes box, below:
Describe three tree superpowers: