Cooling the Global South: The Need for Urban Greenery in the Face of Rising Temperatures

As climate change continues to escalate, cities in the Global South are facing unprecedented challenges related to extreme heat. New research highlights a critical disparity between urban environments in the Global North and Global South regarding their cooling capacities. This discrepancy is rooted in the lack of adequate green spaces that can mitigate the harsh effects of rising temperatures. Notably, the study, published in *Nature Communications*, sheds light on these alarming findings, emphasizing that cities in the Global South only possess about 70% of the cooling capacity seen in their Northern counterparts.

Heat-related health issues are increasingly prevalent, particularly in urban spaces, where the “urban heat island” effect exacerbates temperature increases, making cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. Without interventions such as urban greenery, these conditions are likely to worsen, leading to more heat-related illnesses and fatalities among vulnerable populations.

Urban greenery plays a pivotal role not only in enhancing aesthetics but also in providing relief from the oppressive heat. The recent analysis, performed by a team of researchers from institutions such as Nanjing University and North Carolina State University, suggests that proactive measures focusing on increasing green spaces can dramatically curb extreme temperature spikes in cities. Specifically, urban greenery can lower surface temperatures by an average of 3°C during warmer months—an essential change that could save lives in the hottest urban hotspots, particularly in regions like India and parts of Africa.

Trees and vegetation contribute to cooling through two main mechanisms: shading and transpirational cooling, which involves the evaporation of water. By absorbing heat and providing shaded areas, urban forests serve as natural air conditioners, making them vital for any city’s climate adaptation strategy.

The disparities between Global North and South cities are stark. The study’s findings ranked various cities based on their cooling capacity, with all top ten cities for cooling—such as Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham—situated in the United States. Interestingly, many U.S. cities have lower population densities, which correlates with greater availability of green spaces. Conversely, cities like Mogadishu, Somalia, and Sana’a, Yemen, embody some of the lowest cooling capacities globally.

Notably, the location and density of urban greenery are less favorable for average residents in the Global South, where wealthier areas typically enjoy better access to green spaces. The analysis indicated that residents in the Global South benefit from a cooling advantage of only 2.2°C, compared to 3.4°C for those living in the Global North. This inequality highlights an urgent need for targeted urban planning strategies that prioritize the development and management of green areas across all socio-economic areas of cities.

With the climate crisis looming, the call for action has never been more urgent. As highlighted by Professor Rob Dunn from North Carolina State University, regreening urban areas is undoubtedly a complex and often costly endeavor. Nonetheless, it remains crucial for enhancing livability in cities across the Global South, particularly as climate projections indicate unbearable heat coming in the future.

Urban planning that incorporates green infrastructure could greatly reduce heat stress for billions of residents in at-risk regions. Additionally, proactive measures must be taken to prevent the depletion and degradation of existing green spaces. Sustainable urban planning must ensure that these vital areas serve all city dwellers, regardless of their socio-economic status, promoting environmental justice alongside climate resilience.

While the challenges posed by climate change may seem daunting, the findings from this study present both a warning and an opportunity. The pathway toward creating cooler, healthier urban environments lies in investing in and prioritizing green infrastructure. Cities in the Global South are at a critical juncture; the potential benefits of integrating urban greenery could not only enhance cooling capacities but also foster more equitable, resilient urban futures.

The research underlines the critical need for cities to embrace sustainable practices and green configurations to address the pressing challenges of extreme heat and urban inequities. Cultivating urban greenery must become a top priority if cities are to navigate the impacts of climate change effectively and create safe, healthy living spaces for all their inhabitants.