Enabling Strategies for Implementing Political Climate Remedies
In the realm of urban forestry, a common misconception is that more trees equate to better outcomes. However, this isn't always the case, especially in underserved neighborhoods where concerns about gentrification and maintenance costs can outweigh the benefits.
To address this issue, the Public Deliberation on Climate Transitions and Well-being Environmental Innovations Initiative (EII) is supporting research on policy approaches that tackle climate change while improving people's quality of life. Steven Kimbrough, a professor at the Wharton School's Department of Operations and Information Management, and Rand Quinn, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Education, are leading this research community.
Their work focuses on an alternative approach to climate change policy, one that emphasises co-benefits for the local community. Co-benefits are outcomes that can accrue alongside the primary aim of climate action. For instance, urban trees can help alleviate the urban heat island effect, but their potential negative impacts on gentrification and maintenance costs need to be addressed.
Kimbrough and Quinn's team, consisting of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, have developed a protocol to uncover the connections between climate transition policies and co-benefits at a municipal level. They highlight the importance of considering the local community's needs and concerns when implementing climate change policies, such as tree planting policies.
According to Kimbrough, a cost-benefit assessment of urban forestry should also consider the potential impacts on gentrification and local communities. He suggests that a tree planting policy should work in conjunction with other policies to ensure it benefits the local community while mitigating climate risks.
The team's research underscores the fact that addressing climate change through policy can lead to better living conditions and health outcomes. However, most people don't consider these improvements when climate policies are raised, especially when they come with costs. By focusing on co-benefits, policymakers can create policies that not only combat climate change but also improve people's quality of life.
The individuals who developed the protocol in collaboration with the EII to uncover the connections between climate transition policies and co-benefits at the municipal level are not specifically named. However, the tree project highlighted during the development of this protocol was the urban tree planting initiative focused on oak trees.
The EII research community's work is supported by the EII, ensuring that their findings can contribute to the development of more effective and equitable climate change policies. By focusing on co-benefits and the needs of local communities, Kimbrough, Quinn, and their team are paving the way for a greener and more equitable future.
