The facts on tree canopy
Columbus tree canopy22%As of 2013, 22% of the City of Columbus is covered by tree canopy when viewed from above (termed "tree canopy cover").
canopy privately owned70%The majority of the tree canopy, approximately 70%, is located on privately-owned land. For this reason, real progress in tree canopy growth efforts can only happen through community-led efforts.
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expected population3 millionCentral Ohio currently has a population of 2.4 million people. But it’s on track to become a region of 3 million people by 2050, based on the latest population estimates from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). It is essential to plan ahead to maintain and grow the urban forest alongside this city-wide growth.
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the columbus urban forest lags behind
The Columbus Urban Forest lags behind its peer cities, shown in the chart below. Not all cities are alike, so comparing canopy cover is not always telling (apples to apples), but the current canopy coverage in Columbus is low compared to many cities.
Columbus is heating up
"With more than 80 percent of Americans living in cities, urban heat islands can have serious health effects for hundreds of millions of people during the hottest months of the year. Heat is the No.1 weather-related killer in the U.S., and the hottest days, particularly days over 90°F, are associated with dangerous ozone pollution levels that can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, and other serious health impacts.
Of 60 major U.S. cities studied by Climate Central, Columbus, OH had fastest growing and the 8th most intense urban heat island.
Of 60 major U.S. cities studied by Climate Central, Columbus, OH had fastest growing and the 8th most intense urban heat island.
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The top 10 cities with the most intense summer urban heat islands (average daily urban-rural temperature differences) over the past 10 years are:
Las Vegas (7.3°F) Albuquerque (5.9°F Denver (4.9°F) Portland (4.8°F) Louisville (4.8°F) Washington, D.C. (4.7°F) Kansas City (4.6°F) Columbus (4.4°F) Minneapolis (4.3°F) Seattle (4.1°F)" Source: Climate Central |
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COLUMBUS IS THE 14TH LARGEST CITY IN U.S.
With a population of more than 880,000 people, Columbus is the 14th largest city in the nation. We are growing, and with growth comes increasing urban stressors. Columbus has the fastest-growing urban heat island effect of major U.S. cities, which impacts health, energy use and water quality. With the high influx of people expected in the future, this condition will worsen without strategies to maintain and improve out tree canopy.
Trees reduce urban stressors by providing significant, tangible benefits to residents. They clean our air, provide shade, intercept stormwater, improve over-all quality of life and so much more. This Urban Forestry Master Plan will examine our current canopy, operations, sources of gains and loses and the role of entities within the city to help make community healthy, vibrant and resilient to our growing urban challenges.
Trees reduce urban stressors by providing significant, tangible benefits to residents. They clean our air, provide shade, intercept stormwater, improve over-all quality of life and so much more. This Urban Forestry Master Plan will examine our current canopy, operations, sources of gains and loses and the role of entities within the city to help make community healthy, vibrant and resilient to our growing urban challenges.
““I would like to talk about sustainability, which is key to our equity agenda. The impact of climate change isn’t just happening on far away shores. It affects our most vulnerable residents right here, right now in Columbus. Extreme temperatures can lead to higher energy bills and increased home repairs. Heavy rains can cause flooding in basements. That is not merely inconvenient but can be life threatening for a senior on the South Side on a fixed income . . . or a single mother in Milo-Grogan working two jobs just to get by. More 90 plus degree days equates to air quality concerns for children fighting asthma across the city, and potential for heat stroke and other health concerns for those without access to cooling. Cities in general are hotter than rural areas and our opportunity neighborhoods already feel that directly with higher incidences of asthma. That’s why I have embedded sustainability into the fabric of our work here at the City through our Sustainable Columbus initiative -- because it is imperative that we promote cleaner and more prosperous neighborhoods with plenty of green space . . . air that’s easier to breathe . . . and water that’s safe to drink."
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, 2020 State of the City Address
