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Million Tree Initiative

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The Million Tree Initiative refers to the ongoing environmental projects that multiple cities have individually committed to and aimed at expanding urban forestry through the planting of one million trees. This initiative is part of a higher global movement, not only does it intend to act and diminish climate change, it also plans to lower both the urban heat as well as also enhance the air quality in many places.[1] Cities that are known to be currently involved in this initiative are: Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, Shanghai, London, Ontario, and Amherst, New York. A common motive shared between these participating cities is, according to their mission statements, the reduction of carbon dioxide in the air to reduce the effects of global warming. Beyond these environmental advantages, these effort to plant the trees, also shows signs and effects when it comes to biodiversity, improving public health, and fostering sustainable urban development. [2][3]

History

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In May 2006, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made Million Trees LA one of his campaign promises. This initiative was planned to plant trees between 2006 and 2010 and the trees were expected to provide environmental benefits and were predicted to continue to grow until 2040.[4] This campaign is important and can increase urban woods as a piece of infrastructure that can assist cities in mitigating their environment.[5] The purpose of this initiative will also reduce emissions and save energy.[6] The Los Angeles project is funded by a mix of federal money and municipal funding, charities, and corporate donations. It was one of among forty winners from 200 nominees to obtain a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Award in 2009.[7]

The Mile High Million, an initiative started by then Mayor John Hickenlooper, is a similar program in Denver, Colorado. This was announced by Hickenlooper in his 2006 State of the City Address.[8] This Initiative helped these trees be implemented in forests in Los Angeles and even other cities like New York. [9]

On April 22, 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed goals of planting one million trees by 2017 as part of PlaNYC, a plan designed for the sustainability of New York City.[10] In the same year, China began its own tree planting program for Shanghai, with the same goal for one million trees. After that, London also began the million tree initiative program in 2011.

Tree planting: process & maintenance

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The planning process involves local city governments, NGOs, businesses, and community nonprofit organizations.[11] Environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners have also contributed to this initiative.[12] The Million Tree Initiative, began with one of the steps of planting trees in local residential areas, urban parks, and other natural areas.[13] The work and maintenance is distributed to people who have agreed to live in those or near those areas to participate by helping and taking care of and maintaining the trees.[14][15][16] Many of the materials and necessities for planting the trees are provided by the local governments and involved organizations. [17][18]

Ongoing monitoring and tracking of the trees' growth and health are crucial to ensure their success.[19][20] Some programs include regular assessments to measure the initiative's effectiveness.[21] Since the maturity of the trees influences the effectiveness of their purpose, these trees had to be maintained for periods of time so that the goal of the initiative is successful.[22] To guarantee the initiative’s long-term success, ongoing efforts may involve regular maintenance, additional tree planting, and adapting strategies to address changing environmental conditions.[23]

Environmental & Political Impact

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This Million Tree Initiative is also seen as a display of how the government is progressing to solve urban sustainability, as well as global climate change problems.[24] Local governments such as Los Angeles and New York City, implemented these projects to help reduce carbon emissions, clean air, and fight urban heat islands with mass tree planting.[25][26] Such programs are inextricably linked with larger environmental objectives like California's climate goals and New York's "PlaNYC," an overarching effort to make the city more resistant to climate effects.[27] They further illustrate the growing political salience of nature-based solutions for urban governance, with city governments playing a major role in global environmental governance.[28] While they face similar challenges of funding and political opposition, they are viewed as small examples of collaboration between local, federal, and private initiatives. [29][30]

The Million Tree Initiative has also had global effects, and one example is the Paris Agreement, this agreement helps recognize cities that are contributing to global efforts and reducing carbon emissions and footprints.[31] The investment in these trees also helps citices better adapt to rising temperatures, energy conservation, decrease of air and water pollution, and better property values.[32] Some of the socioeconomic benefits of tree planting is that people can come together as a community and improve public spaces and this could even promote green jobs and motivate people to engage more when it comes to climate movements and funds. [33]

Climate Impact & Long-term Effects

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The Million Tree Initiative has also significantly impacted the climate in many ways.[34] One way is through a process in which trees perform an act known as a carbon sink.[35] This process happens when a tree absorbs the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it into their biomass.[36][37] The trees have also been known to reduce heat emissions and are a useful cooling source.[38] The shade from the trees and the reduced temperature both reduced over 100,000 megawatt-hours in many neighborhood locations for many years.[39] These improved changes have also helped decrease over 100,000 tons of avoided carbon emissions. [40]

Not only do the trees improve air quality through the photosynthesis process, but studies have shown that in just about a year, a mature tree can absorb half a metric ton of carbon dioxide.[41] The health of the ecosystem can also be improved.[42] This is because by planting more trees, a biodiversity of the type of trees used can be increased and the survival rate of wildlife can increase due to a wider range of habitat and improved climate quality. [43]

Benefits

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Main article: Urban forest § Benefits

References

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  1. ^ US EPA, OAR (February 28, 2014). "Heat Island Effect". www.epa.gov. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Urban Forestry". February 10, 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa (September 2014). "A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 19 (9): 1653–1665. Bibcode:2014IJLCA..19.1653M. doi:10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8. ISSN 0948-3349.
  4. ^ McPherson, E. G.; Simpson, J. R.; Xiao, Q.; Wu, C. (2011). "Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment". Landscape and Urban Planning 99: 40-50. 99 (1): 44–50. Bibcode:2011LUrbP..99...40M. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011.
  5. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 0364-152X. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  6. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa (September 2014). "A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 19 (9): 1653–1665. Bibcode:2014IJLCA..19.1653M. doi:10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8. ISSN 0948-3349.
  7. ^ EPA. 2009 Environmental Awards Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  8. ^ Hickenlooper, John (July 12, 2006). State of the City Address 2006. Archived 2011-10-10 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  9. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 0364-152X. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  10. ^ The City of New York (April 22, 2007). MAYOR BLOOMBERG PRESENTS PLANYC: A GREENER, GREATER NEW YORK Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  11. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  13. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory (September 1, 2014). "Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits". Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF). 40 (5): 286–301. doi:10.48044/jauf.2014.027. ISSN 1935-5297.
  14. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa (September 1, 2014). "A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 19 (9): 1653–1665. Bibcode:2014IJLCA..19.1653M. doi:10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8. ISSN 1614-7502.
  15. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory (September 1, 2014). "Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits". Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF). 40 (5): 286–301. doi:10.48044/jauf.2014.027. ISSN 1935-5297.
  16. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 1, 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 1432-1009. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  17. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 1, 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 1432-1009. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  18. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  19. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 1, 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 1432-1009. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  20. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  22. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory (September 1, 2014). "Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits". Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF). 40 (5): 286–301. doi:10.48044/jauf.2014.027. ISSN 1935-5297.
  23. ^ "MillionTreesNYC: planting and tending the urban forest". Centre for Public Impact. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Brancalion, Pedro H. S.; Holl, Karen D. (December 2020). Garcia, Cristina (ed.). "Guidance for successful tree planting initiatives". Journal of Applied Ecology. 57 (12): 2349–2361. Bibcode:2020JApEc..57.2349B. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13725. ISSN 0021-8901.
  25. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 0364-152X. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  26. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.adaptationclearinghouse.org. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  27. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.adaptationclearinghouse.org. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  28. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Xiao, Qingfu; Wu, Chunxia (January 30, 2011). "Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment". Landscape and Urban Planning. 99 (1): 40–50. Bibcode:2011LUrbP..99...40M. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011. ISSN 0169-2046.
  29. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Xiao, Qingfu; Wu, Chunxia (January 2011). "Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment". Landscape and Urban Planning. 99 (1): 40–50. Bibcode:2011LUrbP..99...40M. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.08.011.
  30. ^ Domke, Grant M.; Oswalt, Sonja N.; Walters, Brian F.; Morin, Randall S. (October 6, 2020). "Tree planting has the potential to increase carbon sequestration capacity of forests in the United States". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 117 (40): 24649–24651. Bibcode:2020PNAS..11724649D. doi:10.1073/pnas.2010840117. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 7547226. PMID 32958649.
  31. ^ "Plant a Tree to Mark April 22 Signing of the Paris Agreement". www.unep.org. January 16, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  32. ^ Pincetl, Stephanie (February 1, 2010). "Implementing Municipal Tree Planting: Los Angeles Million-Tree Initiative". Environmental Management. 45 (2): 227–238. Bibcode:2010EnMan..45..227P. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9412-7. ISSN 1432-1009. PMC 2819482. PMID 20016982.
  33. ^ Fransen, Bas (July 9, 2023). "The Social and Economic Benefits of Planting Trees". EcoMatcher. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  34. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa (September 1, 2014). "A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 19 (9): 1653–1665. Bibcode:2014IJLCA..19.1653M. doi:10.1007/s11367-014-0772-8. ISSN 1614-7502.
  35. ^ "Carbon Sources and Sinks". education.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  36. ^ "Carbon Sources and Sinks". education.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  37. ^ "What is a carbon sink?". www.clientearth.org. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  38. ^ Zhu, Yuzhou; Kensek, Karen M. (January 2024). "Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect: The Thermal Performance of Shade-Tree Planting in Downtown Los Angeles". Sustainability. 16 (20): 8768. doi:10.3390/su16208768. ISSN 2071-1050.
  39. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory (September 1, 2014). "Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits". Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF). 40 (5): 286–301. doi:10.48044/jauf.2014.027. ISSN 1935-5297.
  40. ^ McPherson, E. Gregory (September 1, 2014). "Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree Performance During the Early Years and Future Benefits". Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF). 40 (5): 286–301. doi:10.48044/jauf.2014.027. ISSN 1935-5297.
  41. ^ "A Breath of Fresh Air: How Trees Help Mitigate Climate Change". National Forest Foundation. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  42. ^ "Planting forests with diverse tree species increases likelihood of success". Earth.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  43. ^ "Planting forests with diverse tree species increases likelihood of success". Earth.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
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