Warning over 'heat island' effect in cities as tree coverage declines

Australian cities are increasingly becoming concrete jungles as trees and canopy coverage disappear, according to experts who warn this is contributing to an urban "heat island" effect. Key points: Data shows canopy coverage has declined in almost every state Urban design experts are calling for a 30 per cent increase in city greenery Governments are being urged to introduce incentive schemes to prompt residents to plant more Australia just sweated through its hottest and driest year on record, but researchers and urban planners say the way to make our cities more liveable is as simple as increasing the amount of greenery. "We know a tried and tested strategy is the introduction of more trees and green roofs in urban spaces, reducing surface temperatures by up to 40 per cent," Griffith University urban and environmental planner Tony Matthews said. "But the two together don't add up to a total reduction of four degrees, because trees will overshadow the white surface area of the roofs," he said.