I wrote this summary for English 100 on the article “The importance of Urban Forests”
In “The importance of Urban Forests” (2016) Amy Fleming shares research on the effects of including greenery in modern cityscapes. Jill Jones, a historian, explains the importance of the presence of trees and their canopies with a series of examples. Despite what city officials think, Jones shows that trees aren’t mere “expensive ornaments” (qtd in Fleming 2). From economic savings and ecological benefits, with to improved mental and physical health, cities and their residents require nature. Jones reports that “one tree can absorb 150kg of carbon” (2) and Fleming elaborates that trees have an “economic impact (…) added up to 120m a year” for cities. They stress this, wanting to establish canopies as more than just being easy on the eye. Furthermore, Jones insists that environmental equality must also be established. She states, “Everyone knows, if you look at fancy neighborhoods, they are the ones with the most trees” (qtd. In Fleming 3). Her point here is that richer neighborhoods have trees for a reason: more nature equals a better quality of life. However, Fleming reveals that in certain urban areas, tree populations are facing a multitude of dangers. Diseases and human growth pose a threat to a green cityscape. This, combined with the social-economic circumstances means a large chunk of the urban demographic don’t experience nature as much as they should. William Bird, a British GP, and public health expert expresses the urgency of the situation, underlining how future generations will become out of touch and apathetic with nature as their exposure to it declines.