A little less than a year ago I posted on my blog about that all eyes, at least in the western USA are on Las Vegas as a roadmap to water conservation. And, that at the time, according to Brian Richter chief scientist of the Global Water Program of Nature Conservancy, “Las Vegas has become a conservation rock star in recent decades.” Now, Yvette Fernandez of KNPR is once again shining a light on “the city that never sleeps” for NOT sleeping on efforts to battle climate change. In fact, she says facing rising temperatures the city is embracing a simple solution— more trees. To quote her, “Trees in the desert are like oxygen at high altitude- scarce and precious.
NPR
Vegas is giving trees away. A recent tree giveaway in Clark county saw residents lined up and hundreds of trees given away in less than an hour. Residents of North Las Vegas were eligible for 2 trees each. That’s because the area is designated “urban heat island’ because it is hotter than other neighborhoods partly due to lack of trees for shade. I”I don’t have any trees on my property,” says resident Lulu Banks who received 2 trees.
Nevada Plants, a Neveda based nonprofit provided the trees. In fact, the organization has done tree giveaways across the state; Beatty and Jackpot Neveda, all of Clark county, Cherry Creek, Baker, Eureka, Duck Valley, Battle Mountain Tribe area and more. They partner with Neveda Forestry and companies like Ely Bath Lumber.
Lula Banks knew exactly where she’d plant her trees. One near her front window, and the other near her bedroom window in hopes of lowering her air conditioning bills. According to NPR, research indicates trees can lower the temperature in their surrounding area by as much as 10 degrees. And it is well documented climate change is driving peak temperatures up. Last year Las Vegas had a record high of 120 degrees and had temperatures hitting 100 degrees or more for more than two months straight. And mapping shows indisputably the more trees the less heat. The 2024 sustained heat incident mentioned earlier caused an estimated 500 heat related deaths. This sparked added commitment and focus. And, many thin this is an undercount.
NPR
To be clear this is not a climate fix. It is a mitigation, a strategy that tries to offset/counter the impact of climate change. Woodwell Climate Research Associate Monica Caparas says, “There is a disconnect between climate science and the Vegas residents who live here.” She goes on to say, “Folks know our summers are hot and unbearable. Understanding that climate change is driving the extreme weather we are experiencing is where the disconnect lies.” Climate data from Woodwell is helping Las Vegas, as well as around the world, adjust and prepare for the new reality and help protect he most vulnerable. Caparas works with Woodwell’s Risk team providing data-based assessments free of charge. In Vegas the team is focused on the area’s rapidly growing population and those experiencing homelessness.
Again, according to NPR the data shows what Ariel Choinard of Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab calls a “shade disparity,’ in that lower income neighborhoods tend to consist of older less energy efficient structures and having no shade canopy. The agency is tasked with studying impact of heat on people and communities and recommending data-based solutions. As of now the agency’s work and future impact is in question. It was created in 2023 and primarily funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal agency. It is a boots-on-the-ground agency literally out in the field collecting data. Like for example one day in April the observation of a heat differential in an area or 95 degrees, but 87 degrees under a mature shade tree in an area that has few other trees, or an asphalt parking space near a picnic bench registering 144 degrees.
NPR
This data collection means information can be shared in a way people can relate to. And it demonstrates real harm to people and pets. According to the city’s Urban Forester Brad Daseler the city has a goal of planting 60,000 trees my 2025…. about 2,000 trees a year. While some cities are taking a wait and see position others are actively mirroring Las Vegas’ effort.