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

www.theguardian.com

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

The hidden history of how Big Oil invented the American Dream

Oil and tech money back measure to limit California environmental law

The case for low-carbon bamboo fuel starts at $2.75 a gallon

In Honduras, hard hit by drought, authorities hope to make it rain using contentious tactic

This year’s powerful El Niño may preview California’s climate future

Where fossil fuels are lurking in your home — room by room

How data centers are shaping Black voters’ climate concerns

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

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

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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