Magazine/Journal
Urban Trees: An Underused Tool for Keeping People Cool

April 17, 2026

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AGIN MEMBER
Geographic Focus
International
Tags
urban canopy, nature based solution, cooling
Urban Trees: An Underused Tool for Keeping People Cool
Elizabeth Jane Wesley, Eric Mackres and John-Rob Pool
World Resources Institute

The research found a significant positive relationship between nature connection and wellbeing. Stronger connections to nature reported higher life satisfaction and better health-related quality of life. Notably, nature connection was positively associated with every domain of the Personal Wellbeing Index. The study also found that people with high levels of nature connection often reported greater life satisfaction despite experiencing poorer health, suggesting that nature connection can help buffer the impacts of illness and other life challenges. The report concludes that strengthening nature connection should be recognised as an important public policy objective.