URBAN FORESTS AND HEAT WAVES

URBAN FORESTS AND HEAT WAVES Urban forests could be a three in one solution to the problem of heat waves and rising temperatures. Firstly, the trees could provide shade that could as the heat. Secondly, trees could produce oxygen that could cool the air. Thirdly, the trees could produce food that could nourish us. As proof of the first and second solution, it was recently reported that the temperature in the Arroceros Forest Park in Manila was lower than anywhere else in the city. The third solution could be a little bit tricky, because not all trees could bear fruit and produce food. There is a solution for that however, because the late Dr. Jose “Pepe” Cunanan came up with the idea of using the trees, any tree as a trellis that could grow any climbing plant or vine that could produce edible leaves and fruits. Can you imagine an acacia tree bearing squash fruits? We have always known that trees could be a solution to climate change, but it is a good thing that we now realize that trees could also be a solution not only to lessen global warming, but also to increase our food security. Is that not a very simple, common sensical reality that we should realize? Is that not enough to convince all of us to plant trees in every vacant land everywhere? Our goal now should be to build a forest in every space, in every village, so that there will be trees everywhere. IKE SENERES/06-05-2024