The power of urban forests to improve air quality

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have become a fundamental issue in the fight against climate changeSince much of humanity resides in urban environments, cities play a crucial role in taking steps to reduce and absorb this polluting gas.

One of the main natural solutions that are being promoted is the creation of urban forests. These projects, such as the one promoted by the Andalusian Government and the University of Seville, called "Forests by cities", seek to take advantage of urban environments to plant trees and other plant species that can capture large quantities of CO2 and thus contribute to improving air quality.

The “Forests for Cities” project

The pilot project Forests for cities aims to improve public spaces in Andalusia by planting indigenous species that are highly efficient in absorbing CO2. This type of initiative not only implies environmental improvements, but can also help the urban heat mitigation, increase water retention and promote biodiversity in cities.

One of the peculiarities of this project is that species are not chosen at random. Recent studies carried out by the University of Seville have determined that species such as the bitter orange and lemon Tree are particularly effective at capturing CO2. In addition, trees such as the gall y laurel They also have a high absorption capacity.

As for the shrub species, the following stand out: oleander, the privet and lavender, which in addition to absorbing CO2, are also very efficient at filtering polluting particles in the air, which directly contributes to improving the air quality in cities.

Species more efficient in absorbing CO2

The trees, known as natural carbon sinks, play a key role in the fight against climate change. Each tree can capture different amounts of carbon dioxide throughout its life. According to various studies, some species common in urban environments are more effective at capturing CO2.

El Aleppo pine It is, according to research, one of the species that more carbon dioxide can be captured. A mature Aleppo pine can absorb up to 50 tonnes of CO2 per year. This figure is astonishing when we consider that it is equivalent to the emissions produced by 30 cars in one year. In addition, other species, such as the stone pine, can absorb about 27 tons of CO2 per year.

Studies have found that trees such as the holm oak and the cork oak They are also excellent at capturing CO2, absorbing around five tonnes per year in forest environments. However, their capacity in urban environments tends to be lower due to restrictive growing conditions.

Additional benefits of urban forests

In addition to capturing CO2, urban forests offer a variety of benefits that improve the livability of cities. These include:

• temperature reduction: Trees and plants can significantly reduce temperatures in urban areas by providing shade and evaporation.
• Improved air quality:Apart from CO2, trees also help filter pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and PM10 particles.
• Aesthetics and biodiversity:The presence of green areas not only improves urban aesthetics but also provides a habitat for wildlife, promoting biodiversity.
• Water absorption: Urban trees are key to improving drainage in cities, reducing the risk of flooding.

These reasons explain why tree planting should be considered a Comprehensive strategy to tackle global warming and the climate crisisThe species selected for urban forests not only contribute to the capture of this gas, but also to an improvement in the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Expected results of the project

According to estimates, if 2.000 trees with a high capacity to absorb CO2 are planted, up to 160 tons of carbon dioxide per yearThis is a significant contribution to reducing global emissions, especially if these initiatives are combined with reductions in vehicle and industrial emissions.

It is important to note that, despite the effectiveness of trees as carbon sinks, simply planting species is not enough. To achieve real impact, it is necessary to combine this strategy with a emission reduction policy on a large scale. This means that efforts to curb climate change must be comprehensive, ranging from planting trees to adopting cleaner, more efficient technologies.

The Andalusian municipalities The cities involved in this project are seeing not only improvements in air quality, but also an increase in the well-being of their inhabitants. By encouraging the creation of more urban green areas, a replicable effect is being created in other cities that could eventually have a global impact.

These types of projects allow cities to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases, demonstrating that the fight against climate change is possible if local actions are implemented that, together, can generate great benefits for the planet.