Emerson Elementary Tree Planting

Climate action:
--Expected lowered local temperature: "Planting more trees is also a key component to heat mitigation, which has become increasingly important as experts predict Phoenix will become 3 to 5 degrees warmer on average in coming years. The city has taken the issue of urban heat so seriously in 2012 it established the country’s first publicly funded office of heat response and mitigation. " (2)
Enhanced carbon sequestration: "The plants and the trees are going to help sequester carbon, purify the air and improve mental health" (2).
Improved air quality: The plants and the trees are going to help sequester carbon, purify the air and improve mental health." Increased number of species present: "Emerson planted 58 trees and 58 plants, prioritizing native species.
Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters: “We always like to prioritize areas that are high need and don't have a dense tree canopy, because we're trying to mitigate the urban heat island effect,” Killoren said." (1)
Social justice and community:
Improved liveability: “It's when all these things combine that you start to improve air quality for breathing for people who are asthmatic, access to shade and access to cooler spaces, to make the outdoor living more enjoyable for more months of the year.” (1)
Improved mental health: “It was really inspiring to see over 100 volunteers from the community and various organizations come together in support of Emerson. We planted over 100 native and desert adapted trees and plants to assist in mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving mental health and air quality, and beautifying their campus.” (2)
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "The volunteers, many of them children, dug holes, placed trees and plants inside and then shoveled the dirt in, listening to members of the Arizona Sustainability Alliance as they explained how wind could affect the stability of trees, how to water the plants for maximum efficiency and other logistics." (1)
Increased support for education and scientific research: "The Arizona Sustainability Alliance will return to Emerson in a few weeks to train teachers how to care for the trees." (1)
Improved community safety to climate-related hazards: "Two wooden stakes hold up a tree whose bark is no wider than a thick Expo marker. In a decade or so, organizers hope these young saplings will shade future playground denizens as they play soccer, football or freeze tag in the open field." (1)
Improved physical health: "Trees “cool neighborhoods, which reduces heat-related illnesses." (1)