Sufficient urban green spaces can prevent heat-related deaths and diseases

The combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and methane, which trap more heat than normal in the atmosphere. As global demand for electricity soars, burning more fossil fuels has led to more greenhouse gas emissions and more heat trapped in the lower atmosphere.

To date, scientists have conducted more than 152 studies to determine how human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events like heat waves far more likely or severe than ever before. More than 90% of those studies have concluded that man-made climate change has made heat waves more frequent, intense and longer lasting over the past twenty years.

Although these frequent heat waves have wreaked havoc on public health, one has recently occurred British medical journal study reported urban green spaces play a crucial role in reducing the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths.

“As consequences of urbanization and climate change, environmental changes such as the urban heat island effect and other extreme weather phenomena are becoming increasingly apparent. These problems are exacerbated by rising temperatures, fueled primarily by rapid urbanization,” the researchers wrote in the study.

“To counter these global challenges – including climate change, health inequalities and sustainable urbanization – green areas and urban vegetation are crucial,” she added.

During heat waves, children and the elderly are most vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration, and in some cases the negative effects of high temperatures can even be fatal. “The developing bodies of children, the reduced physiological resilience of older adults, and the compromised health status of those with chronic conditions make these groups particularly susceptible to heat stress and heat-related illness. The increased vulnerability of these populations highlights the critical need for targeted urban planning and public health strategies,” the researchers explain.

Urban green spaces such as parks and tree-lined streets act as a buffer against the brutal summer heat and protect residents from direct exposure to high temperatures. To further explore how effective green spaces can be in preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths, the authors reviewed twelve studies conducted in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Portugal, Australia and the United States.

The authors emphasized that although their research focused mainly on high-income countries, the consequences of extremely high temperatures should be further studied in low- and middle-income countries. “People living in resource-poor environments are particularly vulnerable, as outdoor manual labor is more common and adaptation to climate change is costly. In addition, they are at greater risk of heat waves due to electricity shortages during the summer months, which further disadvantages those who cannot afford alternative energy sources,” they noted.

They referenced the devastating 2015 heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan, in which 65,000 people were rushed to hospital with heat-related symptoms. “Heat-related deaths are also reported in countries such as India and Bangladesh, where people are exposed to extreme heat due to climate change and heat island effects,” the authors said. “Research has shown that areas with more green space have lower heat-related morbidity and mortality compared to areas with less green space. Furthermore, urban greenery can also have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, which can also help reduce the negative health effects of high temperatures.”