21st March marks International Day of Forests, a day designed to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests around the world and the vital role they play in our lives.
This year, the theme of International Day of Forests is ‘forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world’, highlighting the profound impact that green spaces have.
As a partner of the Woodland Trust, we’re dedicated to supporting their campaigns and the work they do across sites all over the UK. One campaign in particular resonates with this year’s theme for International Day of Forests – tree equity.
What is Tree Equity?
Tree equity is the idea that people from all communities have equal access to the benefits of trees where they live. However, while some urban areas are lucky enough to have abundant greenery and tree cover, others lack beneficial natural assets.
To address this issue, the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare have partnered with American Forests to bring Tree Equity Scores to the UK.
What are Tree Equity Scores?
Tree Equity Scores indicate the need for trees within urban neighbourhoods. It combines factors including air pollution, income and heat disparity to create a single score, ranging from 0-100.
A lower tree equity score indicates a greater need for trees in the area, and a higher score means there is less of a need for trees to be planted in the area. An ideal score of 100 means that the canopy cover goal for that area has been achieved.
By promoting tree equity and supporting sustainable forestry practices, we can create communities where the natural world thrives, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.
What are Urban Trees?
Urban trees are areas of greenery and tree cover in towns and cities. They can be anything from trees on the sides of roads, to hedgerows, to trees in gardens, to wooded areas.
However, urban trees are not distributed equally, and communities that could benefit are losing out.
What are the Benefits of Urban Trees?
Urban trees can have huge impacts on communities, through mental and physical health, pollution levels, making areas more aesthetic, as well as providing homes for wildlife.
The Woodland Trust suggests that trees in urban areas can:
- Promote health and wellbeing – access to nature helps to alleviate stress, stabilise blood pressure as well as ease anxiety and depression
- Prevent flooding and mitigate other impacts of climate change – trees can intercept rain water with their branches and help to combat surface water flooding
- Reduce air pollution and improve air quality – trees can act as a barrier for pollution and help to direct air flow, reducing the concentration of pollutants in the air
- Create attractive environments – this in turn encourages businesses to invest in the area and create spaces people are happy to live and work in
- Improve ecosystems and boost biodiversity – urban trees create habitats for wildlife, such as homes and foods for birds and insects
Photocredit: Philip Formby
The Journey to Tree Equity
Achieving tree equity in the UK is an ambitious goal that requires dedicated effort. According to recent estimates, for all communities to reap the benefits of urban trees and for us to achieve tree equity in the UK, we will need an additional 1,300 square kilometres of tree cover to ensure equitable access to urban green spaces.
We share a vision for a greener, more sustainable future. Through our partnership with the Woodland Trust, we are committed to environmental responsibility and encouraging our customers to contribute to tree equity through their actions. Visit the Woodland Trust’s page on tree equity to see how you can help contribute to tree equity.
Promoting Sustainable Transport
One way individuals can support tree equity and environmental sustainability is by opting for shared transportation options, such as car sharing. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, we can help to minimise carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and ultimately help to create a cleaner, healthier environment for us all.
Our temporary car insurance product offers customers the opportunity to share the use of a vehicle for short-term needs, such as commuting, road trips and more. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a business trip, or even a visit to your local woods, Dayinsure provides flexible insurance coverage that allows individuals to share the journey and reduce their carbon footprint.
Photocredit: Philip Formby
Get covered with temporary car insurance from Dayinsure
With comprehensive policies from just 1 hour up to 30 days, you can share the driving with confidence knowing you’re fully protected and our cover can start in as little as 15 minutes. Get a quote today or check out what our customers have to say over on Trustpilot and Feefo.
