Blog: Why Tree Equity Is so Important.

By Orlando Cazarez, Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Sustainability Alliance and HECHO HCLC member from Arizona. 

While many people may not have heard about “tree equity,” it is undeniable that trees make our lives better and healthier, but unfortunately, often within the cities, including here in Arizona, there are fewer trees in front line communities where most of the residents are people of color or with lower incomes. This is, without a doubt, an environmental justice issue that must be tackled. 

Tree equity means having an actionable strategy to bring more shade and more native trees to parts of the city where there aren’t enough.

Tree equity improves our quality of life and has many benefits, including: 

• Trees help increase air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen for all of us to breathe. 

• Trees reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths. In Arizona, temperatures can reach 120 degrees in the summer, which poses a threat to many vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.  The difference in temperature under a shade tree corridor during Phoenix’s peak Summer temperatures can be as much as 30-40 degrees.

• Trees cool our neighborhoods and cities by decreasing the Urban Heat Island with their shade, protecting residents from warmer temperatures, and reducing utility costs.

• Trees slow the effects of climate change.

• Last but not least, trees don’t only help us with our physical health but also with our mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

This is why the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), where I am part of and lead as its CEO, is deeply committed to fostering sustainability and environmental stewardship and recognizes the vital role that Urban Forestry plays in creating greener and more equitable communities.

By championing the idea of “Tree Equity,” withAmerican Forests, our efforts have spread the advantages of urban trees and green spaces to many neighborhoods in Maricopa County and the greaterPhoenix metropolitan area.

Learn more about our initiatives to promote tree equity and join our activities throughout the year to make our neighborhoods healthier and more sustainable.