International Day of Forests 2018: Forests and sustainable cities, 2018 February 02

International Day of Forests 2018: Forests and sustainable cities

02/02/2018

More and more people live in cities. By 2050, 6 billion people (or at least the 70% of the global population) are projected to live in urban areas.

Although this rapid urbanization process has often resulted in increased urban pollution, poverty, food insecurity and natural resources degradation, sustainable and resilient models of urban growth are possible!

Trees and urban forests can make our cities greener, healthier and happier places to live. By cooling the air, filtering harmful pollutants, increasing the resilience of cities to the effects of climate change, and supplying ecosystem products and services, urban trees and forests can substantially contribute to enhance the livelihood and well-being of urban communities towards a more sustainable and resilient model of urban growth.