The hottest areas in U.S. cities are losing the most greenery

Abstract Due to the significantly increasing impacts of urban heat, cities are seeking to expand tree canopy, parks and other forms of greenery to reduce temperatures. Despite these efforts, few studies have examined the relationship between neighborhood-scale thermal conditions and changes in green spaces. The present study drew on high-resolution, near-surface air temperature measurements in 33 U.S. cities to answer two research questions: (1) to what extent did these cities’ greenery change from 2013 to 2022? and (2) did these study areas have an increase in greenery within neighborhoods exhibiting the hottest air temperatures? Results suggest that 72.7% of cities are losing their greenery, and that areas with the hottest air temperatures in the city are consistently losing a greater proportion of their greenery than their cooler counterparts. These results highlight the need for preservation of the existing greenery, particularly in areas with the hottest temperatures.