The trees of Queensbridge Park along the East River in Long Island City (Queens), New York provide more than shade and aesthetic benefits—they also filter air pollutants and particulate matter coming from traffic on the Queensboro Bridge. As New York City sees more intense heat waves and frequent storms due to climate change, planting and tending its urban forest will help cool the air and absorb the torrents of rain. Understanding this vital role of the city’s trees, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local nonprofit New York Restoration Project completed an eight-year project in 2015 to plant one million trees.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE The trees of Queensbridge Park along the East River in Long Island City (Queens), New York provide more than shade and aesthetic benefits—they also filter air pollutants and particulate matter coming from traffic on the Queensboro Bridge. As New York City sees more intense heat waves and frequent storms due to climate change, planting and tending its urban forest will help cool the air and absorb the torrents of rain. Understanding this vital role of the city’s trees, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local nonprofit New York Restoration Project completed an eight-year project in 2015 to plant one million trees. © Diane Cook and Len Jenshel

Newsroom

Transportation Bill Enabling Investments in Nature Clears House Panel

Calls for investments in resilience, natural infrastructure, forest roads.

June 19, 2020 | Arlington, VA

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The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure last night approved new transportation infrastructure legislation. The Invest in America Act, H.R. 2, calls for new infrastructure with greater resilience to the impacts of climate change as well as investments to conserve America’s lands, waters and wildlife.  

The following is a statement by Sarah Murdock, director of U.S. resilience and water policy at The Nature Conservancy:

"The Invest in America Act is a win for the country’s infrastructure and natural world. In the face of a changing climate, this bill strives to ensure the roads, bridges and other investments the country pays for will be here in the future. Its emphasis on building new infrastructure more resilient to increased flooding and other climate threats and integrating natural infrastructure in projects will help protect communities, ecosystems and taxpayer dollars. Its investments in reducing carbon emissions, particularly electric vehicle and other alternative fuel infrastructure, will help address the transportation sector’s share of the climate challenge.

In the face of a changing climate, this bill strives to ensure the roads, bridges and other investments the country pays for will be here in the future.

Sarah Murdock

Director of U.S. Resilience and Water Policy at The Nature Conservancy

“These investments will result in significant job creation and economic development. Given the country’s growing economic crisis, these investments are needed more than ever. We urge the full House to swiftly pass this bill and reach agreement with the Senate on legislation that can be signed into law to enable project work throughout the United States to proceed as soon as possible."

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 75 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 38 through partners, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

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