California’s schools lose vital tree cover, leaving kids in the heat
Tree cover in California’s schools has dropped sharply over the past five years, leaving playgrounds hotter and less safe for children. A new study reveals that 85% of schools lost greenery between 2018 and 2022, with some districts seeing up to a 25% decline. The problem hits low-income and Black and Latino communities hardest, where tree loss has been most severe.
Schools in California now have less than half the tree cover of nearby urban areas. This decline has real consequences: without shade, playground temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. A single mature tree can cool surfaces by up to 30°F (17°C), far more than artificial shade, thanks to water vapour released by its leaves. But rubberised playground surfaces, common in many schools, reflect heat and worsen the risk.
The loss of trees also means children miss out on the benefits of outdoor time. Research shows that nature improves well-being, encourages physical activity, and even boosts academic performance. Yet keeping replacement trees alive long enough to provide shade remains a challenge. Efforts to fix the problem involve multiple groups. State and local education agencies, like the California Department of Education’s ‘Green Schoolyards’ initiative, are working with city forestry programmes in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Nonprofits such as TreePeople and Canopy, along with community organisations, focus on planting trees in low-income neighbourhoods. Universities and research institutes, backed by state climate funds, are also helping design greener schoolyards in underserved areas.
The decline in school tree cover has left many playgrounds exposed to extreme heat. Without intervention, children in affected areas will continue to face higher temperatures and fewer chances to benefit from time outdoors. State programmes, nonprofits, and researchers are now working together to reverse the trend and bring back shade to schools.
Read also:
- Executive from significant German automobile corporation advocates for a truthful assessment of transition toward electric vehicles
- United Kingdom Christians Voice Opposition to Assisted Dying Legislation
- Democrats are subtly dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Here's the breakdown
- Financial Aid Initiatives for Ukraine Through ERA Loans
