Urban forests are the green lungs of our cities. They play an extensive role in maintaining and improving numerous social, economic, and environmental factors in urban areas. However, urban forests are struggling to survive due to difficult growing conditions, insufficient resources, pressure from development, and a lack of understanding about them.
Cities 4 Forests defines urban forests as follows: “An urban forest encompasses the trees and shrubs in an urban area, including trees in yards, along streets and utility corridors, in protected areas, and in watersheds.” Urban forests are man-made entities that play an crucial role to the improvement of urban microclimates.
These forests cannot survive without our help – urban forestry, the care and management of tree populations in urban settings, is essential for them to flourish. It’s critically important that we prioritize the health of urban forests, as they provide our communities with various personal and environmental benefits. According to Cities 4 Forests, these benefits of urban forests include (but are not limited to):
Individually:
• Improvement of recreation, health, and well-being of its inhabitants.
• Increased equity, as benefits can be most impactful for disadvantaged groups.
• Reduction of noise pollution.
• Support of local livelihoods and enhancement of community cohesion.
• Increased food security for marginalized communities.
Environmentally:
• Mitigation of the “heat island effect” by reducing temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration.
• Reduction of burdens on traditional water infrastructure with reduced run-off.
• Improved air quality.
In fact, urban forests have contributed to a reduction in air pollution across the United States in various major cities: in New York, urban forests removed 1,973 tons of air pollution annually; in Atlanta, 8,618 tons; in Philadelphia, 971 tons; and in Los Angeles, 1,976 tons.
The burden of caring for urban forests should not fall on the citizen level only – major organizations, such as logistics companies, must implement green business practices to offset the carbon footprint they often leave behind. According to a report titled, Urban Forestry as a Function of Green Logistics, organizations can lower the impact of city-based logistics by implementing greener practices as well as participating in urban forestry.
EFL Global, a logistics and supply chain organization committed to global sustainability, has worked to improve urban forestry in India over the last three years. The 5th Annual World Air Quality Report revealed that in 2022, India ranked 8th on countries with the worst air quality. To combat this, EFL Global has partnered with EFI to launch ‘ForesTree’, the second phase of its ecosystem recovery program in India (following the recovery program of Thaali Kulam).
EFL Global – India employees gathered to plant over 1,500 “Pungai” (Pongamia) tree saplings during this initiative. Planting these native trees helps to improve the micro-climatic conditions, act as filters for urban pollutants and fine particulates, and act as carbon sequesters.
“We are delighted to have taken part in the Afforestation Project in the rural area of Chennai, India,” says Abbas Sethwala, Chief Administrative Officer of EFL Global – India. “Our Corporate Office and Chennai Branch employees came together to plant the saplings over two weekends, and I was impressed by the number of staff members who volunteered for this project. It was heart-warming to see many of their children join us for the planting, making the event even more special. This was our second environmental project in India, and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Chennai community while contributing to a greener and healthier future.”
Urban forests are a critical component of our urban landscapes and livelihoods. We must continue to invest in, care for, and protect them for future generations to reap the benefits in urban communities.
