Cities in the Global South Have Far Less Green Space

November 30, 2024 | Source: Earth.com | by Andrei Ionescu

As urban populations swell and climate change accelerates, the cooling effects of green spaces in cities become increasingly vital.

A recent study has identified a significant gap in green space – and therefore cooling capacity – between cities in the Global South and those in the Global North.

Utilizing NASA satellite data, the research underscores the urgent need for equitable urban planning to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

Health risks of urban heat

Cities are often hotter than surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island effect. Dark surfaces like roads, buildings, and sidewalks absorb and retain heat from the sun, raising temperatures in urban environments.

This exacerbated heat poses serious health threats to city dwellers, including dehydration, heat stroke, and increased mortality rates. Greenery provides natural cooling through shade and the release of moisture into the air, helping to reduce these risks.