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Urban Green Spaces Are Increasingly Vital for Preventing Heat-Related Deaths, Analysis Finds

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27 Oct, 2024

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

As global warming worsens, green spaces in urban areas will play an important role in providing respite. According to a new analysis, these urban green spaces will be crucial in preventing heat-related deaths, which have been on the rise in recent years.

The analysis, published in BMJ Open, reviewed a selected 12 studies on the influence of urban green spaces on heat-related diseases and deaths published from January 2000 to December 2022. The studies took place in Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam, the U.S., South Korea, Portugal and Japan.

According to the analysis, green spaces showed to improve health for residents of urban areas, and these green spaces were particularly beneficial to vulnerable populations, including elderly adults and children.

Studies in Australia and Japan revealed that adding more vegetation to urban spaces could reduce heat, including by 0.5 to 2 degrees Celsius in Melbourne Central Business District specifically, as well as reduce mortality rates related to heat stress. Further, the analysis determined that urban green spaces could reduce heat-related diseases and deaths as well as provide economic value.

On the other hand, one study examined in the analysis found that about one in four lives lost in heat waves could be saved, and a study in Seoul, South Korea revealed that areas with low vegetation and high temperatures had a high mortality effect.

Aerial drone view of downtown Seoul, South Korea. ES3N / iStock / Getty Images Plus

“A review of urban greenery and its effect on heat-related morbidity and mortality suggests that urban green spaces, such as parks and trees, can have a positive impact on reducing the negative health effects associated with high temperatures,” the analysis authors wrote. “Studies have found that areas with more green space have lower rates of heat-related morbidity and mortality compared with areas with less green space. Moreover, urban greenery can also have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, which can also contribute to reducing the negative health effects of high temperatures.”

According to a separate study published in JAMA in August 2024, heat-related deaths increased by as much as 117% from 1999 to 2023 in the U.S. alone, or by around 63% when adjusting for age.

As such, the authors of that study had recommended that officials consider expanding access to public cooling and hydration centers to mitigate heat-related deaths. 

Additionally, urban planners may want to consider integrating more green spaces for further physical and mental health benefits.

“Greenery helps lower ambient temperatures, which is especially beneficial during heatwaves in urban areas,” Ahsana Nazish, lead author of the analysis on urban green spaces and a researcher at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told Euronews. “Beyond physical health, access to green spaces enhances mental well-being, further mitigating the negative health impacts of high temperatures.”

Nazish added that cities will need to invest more in green infrastructure to increase resilience to global warming.

The post Urban Green Spaces Are Increasingly Vital for Preventing Heat-Related Deaths, Analysis Finds appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Climate Zero and Carbon Neutral partner to reach net zero

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A new partnership between Climate Zero and Carbon Neutral brings carbon accounting and offsets together, making sustainability gains easier for Australian businesses.

The partnership means businesses using Climate Zero’s carbon accounting software to measure, reduce and report on emissions can now also offset from the platform, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to progress their sustainability goals.

Climate Zero Managing Director Tai Lennon said the partnership reflected the company’s mission to remove barriers between businesses and net zero.

“Like anything, corporate sustainability is easier with the right tools and support. We’ve been helping businesses measure and reduce emissions for more than 15 years and now, with Carbon Neutral’s partnership, they can easily compare, choose and purchase high-integrity carbon credits and track their impact — all within our platform,” Lennon said.

Carbon Neutral CEO Phil Ireland agreed and said the partnership was a natural collaboration that made it easier for businesses to have a positive impact.

“With the ability to measure, offset and report on emissions all in one place, we’re not only removing administrative barriers but also making it easier for businesses of all sizes to take credible climate action,” Ireland said.

The partnership is said to reflect the need for a multi-faceted approach to corporate sustainability because of greenhouse gas emissions already locked into the atmosphere, requiring sequestering and nature-based regeneration.

“While reducing emissions remains the top priority to help our economy shift from depletion to regeneration, there will always be residual emissions that an organisation simply cannot reduce,” Lennon said.

“We’ve done our research and partnered with Carbon Neutral because we have seen first-hand the impact their projects are having not just to generate carbon credits but also to restore native landscapes, preserve biodiversity, return land to Traditional Owners and permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere.

“Our partnership is based on trust and integrity, because if you’re serious about reducing emissions, your offsets should be as real as your commitments.”

Image caption: Carbon Neutral CEO Phil Ireland with Climate Zero Managing Director Tai Lennon and Chief Product Officer Jess Symes.

Australian Open exceeds single-use waste reduction targets

Australian Open exceeds single-use waste reduction targets

Single-use waste reduction targets have been exceeded at this year’s Australian Open, with Tennis Australia’s projection of 100,000 reusable items washed increased by almost 37,000.

Through the partnership between Sustainability Victoria and Tennis Australia, thousands of reusable cups, made by Victorian company bettercup, replaced single-use cups in the Courtside Bar and bars around Garden Square.

With additional reusable cups, bowls and plates served by vendors, the event saw a record-breaking 136,932 items washed for reuse, nearly doubling the result from last year’s event.

During the three-week tournament, the dishwashing team from Green My Plate collected, washed and returned over 69,000 bettercups alone, representing 552 kg of single-use cups avoided.

Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria CEO, said, “It’s fantastic that so many people embraced the reusable cups at AO25, diverting waste from landfill and reducing their environmental impact.

“The simplicity of the model was key to its success. Patrons enjoyed their drinks in the reusable cups then dropped them at clearly marked collection points for washing.

“The reusable bettercups will also be repurposed for other events across Victoria, providing a long-term solution to waste reduction.”

The reusables bin at the Australian Open 2025 (AO25). Image: Supplied.

Tennis Australia’s Director of Sustainability, Matthew Nicholas, said, “We’re proud of the steps we’re taking to reduce single-use consumption at the Australian Open.

“On top of the almost 137,000 single-use items diverted from waste streams through the AO Reusables program, we recycled over 74 tonnes of glass and 64 tonnes of cardboard. We also tackled more challenging tournament-specific waste streams, sending approximately 16,000 tennis ball tubes and 5 km of nylon racquet string offcuts to dedicated recycling pilots.”

Sustainability Victoria will continue to support Tennis Australia in its future sustainability strategy as Victoria transitions to a circular economy with less waste and emissions.

Top image: Supplied.

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