Climate, the planet, and health

Student Wins Climate Innovation Challenge with Tree Planting Initiative

School of Public Health student Megan Ryder earned first place in the 2024 BU Climate Innovation Challenge for her proposal for a community-driven tree planting initiative designed to curb Boston’s urban heat island effect.

Ryder’s Heatwise EcoEquity Initiative (formerly Micro Afforestation) will establish small forests in densely developed urban areas with the goal of improving residents’ quality of live by reducing ambient air temperatures and providing opportunities to connect with nature.

Ryder says she is most looking forward to collaborating with neighborhood schools to teach students about the effects of tree planting on their microclimate. She hopes to foster a citizen science program that encourages children to conduct observational research in the tiny forests established by her initiative.

Read more about Megan’s innovative work here.

You may also like

air pollution from oil and gas production is harming our health and business
Cities and health
Air Pollution from Oil and Gas Production is Harming Our Health and Business

A new study by Jonathan Buonocore, assistant professor of environmental health, and colleagues has found that air pollution from oil and gas production in the United States is responsible for…

The CAFÉ: A New Climate and Health Research Coordinating Center
Climate, the planet, and health
New Climate and Health Research Coordinating Center

At a time when climate change is causing more frequent and severe natural disasters, as well as a range of other health impacts, it’s essential that researchers, policymakers, and industry…

idea-hub-craig-ross-the-future-is-bright-for-collaborative-public-health-solutions-768x410
Collaborations
The future is bright for collaborative public health solutions

There is a bright future for alliances between for-profit corporations and academic schools of public health. Mainly, because of three letters buzzing throughout corporate boardrooms: ESG, or environmental, social, and…