Why do we need trees? What happens if you cut down all of a city’s trees? Learn why trees are so important to our growing cities, our climate, and our mental health, as well as how successful urban life throughout our planet’s history has relied on trees, parks, and other essential green spaces.

This TED-Ed by Dutch architect and urban designer Stefan Al, directed by Berlin-based animator Mette Ilene Holmriis, is part of TED-Ed’s Earth School, “30 Quests for students around the world to celebrate, explore and connect with nature.”

By 2050, it’s estimated that over 65% of the world will be living in cities. We may think of nature as being unconnected to our urban spaces, but trees have always been an essential part of successful cities. Humanity has been uncovering these arboreal benefits since the creation of our first cities thousands of years ago.

Plus, dig deeper with TED-Ed and these suggested links:

…you can check out each and every single tree of New York City in this tool by NYC Parks, and the benefits they provide in terms of stormwater absorption, energy conservation, air pollution removal, and carbon dioxide reduction. If you want to learn more about the financial benefits that trees provide, you can look at the tools by I-Tree, an organization that is dedicated to quantifying the value of trees around the world. MIT’s sensible cities lab has provided a web-based tool that allows you to compare the visible green canopy of different cities, such as Singapore and New York.

We love trees and videos about trees, too. Watch these next:
• How tall can a tree grow?
• In the forest canopy with pioneering ecologist Nalini Nadkarni
• Why are mangrove trees so important?
• How Douglas Fir Trees Shaped The Northwest
• The Wood Wide Web: How trees secretly talk to and share with each other

Also, don’t miss this: Do Cities Need More Green Roofs?

What happens if you cut down all of a city’s trees?

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