Walking through forest cools body faster than city streets during heat wave: study

A recent field experiment conducted by the National Institute of Forest Science in Korea reveals that walking through a forest trail significantly cools the human body faster than walking on city asphalt streets during a heat wave. The institute tested this cooling effect on Hongneung Forest, a historic forest in Dongdaemun District dating back to the Joseon era. Using thermal imaging cameras, researchers compared the participants' heat response while walking on both the forest trail and the nearby asphalt road.

Participants who strolled along the forest trail experienced an average facial surface temperature reduction of up to 1.9 degrees Celsius from their starting point. This cooling effect persisted even after the walk had ended, with facial surface temperatures remaining 1.7 degrees lower than the initial temperature. In contrast, walking on the asphalt road resulted in a starkly different outcome.

The average facial surface temperature began at 37.0 degrees Celsius and climbed to 38.1 degrees Celsius during the initial stretch, showing only minimal improvement by the end of the route.

Overall, facial surface temperatures were 1.1 degrees lower when participants walked through the forest trail as opposed to the asphalt road. This study emphasizes the cooling benefits of natural landscapes during extreme heat events and highlights the importance of preserving and utilizing green spaces for public health and well-being.