Veronika Kalugina

ENV 1150-02

Critical Analysis 3

October 5th, 2021

There is a pattern across the country that wealthy and white neighborhoods have greener views than
other areas and lower-income communities or communities of color are more likely to have roads,
parking lots, buildings instead of trees and parks. Tree Equity analysis provides us with numbers, stating
that wealthy areas have 65% more tree canopy than low-income communities. In certain areas, the
difference can be shocking.

The average temperature in low tree canopy areas is approximately 10 degrees higher than places with
plenty of trees. With hotter conditions during the heat waves, there is more death. Trees can prevent
this issue and lower down the temperature.

Besides the benefits of trees when it comes to weather conditions, it also provides other benefits such
as a trap for air pollutants (avoids respiratory symptoms). It can improve mental health, physical health,
social connections, and educational performance.

Where this greenery inequality comes from? There is a direct relationship between tree canopy today
and discriminatory policies in the past such as “redlining” where color-coded maps were drawn, marking
Black, Catholic, Jewish, and immigrant neighborhoods red, to discourage economic growth and
investments because of its racial makeup. This is a social equity issue.

With rising temperatures and economic disparities trees are essential infrastructures in the cities. But it
can be achieved only with proper funding and support of public sectors. The start point can be a
creation of a program at federal agencies that focus on housing, energy, and transportation. Can
communities solve this problem without the involvement of federal agencies?

We need to talk about environmental health and justice to understand what the issues are and what are
the possible solutions can be. And if we can make a difference, we need to take an action and do it.

Greener cities will have a great impact on quality of life, health benefits, slowing climate change, and the
creation of additional jobs in the neighborhoods. Can we try to improve our own well-being by planting
more trees in the neighborhoods?

We can see a real-life example of the Lower 9th Ward community, that restored and rebuilt their
neighborhood after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. They refused to rely on the government and
decided to come together to build a sustainable, healthy neighborhood with a community and
volunteers’ effort. This example needs to become a model for the rest of the country - “together we can
start to right historic wrongs and demand a world to build on clean energy, sustainable communities,
and environmental justice”.