Overview

• A modeling study published in *The Lancet Planetary Health* reveals that boosting urban vegetation by 30% could reduce heat-related deaths by about one third globally.
• The study simulated the impact of increased greenery across over 11,000 urban areas using satellite data from 830 locations in 53 countries, including 15 German cities.
• Regions like Europe and Asia would see the largest benefits, with an estimated 400,000 and 530,000 lives saved respectively, compared to 70,000 in North America and 36,000 in Africa.
• Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable to urban heat, as cities heat more during the day and cool more slowly at night, exacerbating health risks.
• Researchers recommend expanding green spaces, including green roofs and facades, as critical strategies to mitigate urban heat and its health impacts.