Plant trees and vegetation

Increasing the cover of trees and vegetation in a city is a simple and effective way to reduce the urban heat island effect. Trees provide a wide range of other benefits, from increasing property value to reducing storm water runoff.

Shade trees also can make homes and buildings significantly more energy efficient. Scientists estimate that strategically planting trees and vegetation reduces cooling energy consumption by up to 25%. For many, this research comes as no surprise—trees have been used to cool homes for hundreds of years.