Los Angeles tree advocate educates communities on the city’s diverse urban forest

Stephanie Carrie leads tree tours across Los Angeles to raise awareness about the city’s canopy, its environmental benefits the need for equitable tree distribution.

Victoria Namkung reports for The Guardian.


In short:

  • Stephanie Carrie uses her Instagram account, Trees of LA walking tours to teach residents about LA’s urban forest and the importance of tree diversity.
  • Many palm trees planted in the 1930s are nearing the end of their lifespan, prompting calls to replace them with drought-tolerant species.
  • LA’s Green New Deal aims to increase canopy cover in underserved neighborhoods, addressing tree inequity and its ties to environmental justice.

Key quote:

“It’s important to work with communities rather than just coming in and having strangers planting a bunch of trees.”

— Stephanie Carrie, tree advocate

Why this matters:

Urban trees mitigate heat, clean the air support mental health, but many low-income neighborhoods lack sufficient canopy cover. Addressing tree inequity helps combat climate change while improving residents’ quality of life.

Learn more: Urgent tree planting needed in underprivileged urban areas

A person cutting a salmon filet on a plate with spinach and cherry tomatoes

Swapping beef for salmon once a week notably cuts emissions

A United Kingdom study comparing five dietary scenarios through 2050 found the simplest option delivered meaningful, realistic emissions reductions.

Three women wearing active wear walking on a sunny path

How climate change gets under the skin

Here’s what we know, so far, about the lasting effects of climate change on the body’s vital systems.
A man using a hose to water a lawn

An Oregon law lets one wealthy region turn the desert green. When drought hits, farmers pay the price

During a historic drought, half of Central Oregon’s lifeblood river was diverted to a wealthy agricultural region that got a lot more water than its plants could drink.

A view of a dry corn field

Climate change, pesticides, productivity and a continent under heat stress

Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is becoming a direct economic challenge right across Europe's agricultural sector.
Oil pump jacks drilling for oil in a field

Carbon captured

How the fossil fuel industry turned the plan to solve climate change into a plan to save itself.

A single boat traveling the river Seine with the Eiffel Tower behind

‘Kind of miracle solution’: How Paris is harnessing the Seine to replace air-con

City plans to triple system of underground pipes that distribute chilled river water, reducing need for individual cooling units.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.