Medellín went green to stay cool – heat rose faster
Colombia’s second-largest city has been lauded for its tree planting. Now climate change and urban growth mean a different approach is needed The post Medellín went green to stay cool – heat rose faster appeared first on Dialogue Earth .
In Medellín, tree planting has become a symbol of the city's efforts to combat rising temperatures and provide relief to its residents. The initiative began in 2008, with the city government collaborating with the Medellín Botanical Garden to identify suitable species for the urban environment. A target of 880,000 trees was set, and the largest project, Green Corridors, was launched in 2016 to plant species adapted to the city's infrastructure along roads and waterways.
Green corridors have since been established along 18 roads and 12 waterways, providing much-needed shade and cooling benefits for the city's residents. However, despite these efforts, the city's 4 million inhabitants have not been uniformly benefited by the tree planting program. Experts warn that more needs to be done to address the effects of climate change, particularly in areas where the most vulnerable people live and work.
For Gloria Morales, a resident of the north of Medellín in the Villa Sofía neighbourhood, the heat has become increasingly oppressive. With her family of ten living in a narrow, concrete-laden street, the lack of shade and trees has made the afternoons unbearable. Without air conditioning, the family relies on bathing the children frequently to cope with the heat, a luxury that is financially unattainable for many.
The distribution of vegetation is notably unequal across the city. The southern parts, where socioeconomic levels are higher, are more likely to benefit from the city's greening efforts. In contrast, northern areas and some central areas have fewer trees, leaving these communities more exposed to the heat. Alejandro Álvarez Vanegas, a sustainable development expert at EAFIT University, highlights this disparity in vegetation distribution, noting a significant difference between the more affluent southern part and the northern part of the city.
As global temperatures continue to rise, the urgency for more comprehensive tree-planting initiatives in Medellín is becoming increasingly apparent. However, addressing this issue requires a concerted effort and investment to ensure that all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can benefit from the city's green corridors and enjoy a cooler, more comfortable environment.
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