Photo: David Vig | Unsplash
Tucson, in the Sonoran Desert, is among the fastest-warming cities in the US. Over the past 50 years, its average temperature has soared by 4.48 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the heat hits some areas harder than others. In neighborhoods in southern Tucson, predominantly home to Latino and low-income communities, temperatures can be up to eight degrees warmer than the average and 12 degrees hotter than affluent areas in the city. This difference is the legacy of decades of neglect that prevented the development of green spaces in poorer neighborhoods. To address the disparity, Tucson set a goal to plant a million trees by 2030. To pinpoint areas most in need, officials use a tool that crunches data like tree cover, climate, the percentage of people of color, poverty rates, unemployment rates and the population of seniors and children. A variety of community groups are involved with planning and planting green spaces; the initiative focuses on planting drought-resistant species indigenous to the area, some of which provide food. “We’re not just planting trees. We’re planting equity,” said Nicole Gillet, the city’s urban forestry manager.
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