Heat is now the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. — with 12,000 lives claimed annually — and this number is expected to increase significantly by the turn of the century.

In large cities, temperatures in the summer can reach even higher than normal due to the “urban heat island” effect. 

New data compiled by the nonprofit American Forests and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation identifies areas in cities across the United States that lack enough protection from the sun.  These areas are known as “shade deserts.” 

The new shade map covers more than 100 of the country’s biggest urban areas, including Detroit.

One effective way to stay cooler is by increasing shade, especially through planting trees, which can reduce the effects of high temps significantly. But according to American Forests a lack of shade in Detroit — especially at bus stops and along roadways — is harming thousands. 

Less than 60% of households in Detroit have air conditioning, said Chris David, vice president of GIS & Data Science at American Forests. Additionally, he says those using public and alternative transit are even more at risk of heat-related illness and death. 

“I think there’s about 5,000 bus stops in Detroit,” David said. “About 90% of those 5,000 bus stops have poor shade.” 

He says bus shelters provide “very little” sun protection, with only about 5% of bus stops in the city covered.  

“That means we estimated about 85,000 daily transit riders in Detroit….they’re left exposed to the sun when they’re waiting for the bus… and that can have dire effects,” David said.

David says Detroit will benefit from a strategic plan to increase the tree canopy, with groups like the Greening of Detroit working toward that goal in partnership with city government. 

You can view the American Forests/UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation shade map here. 

This story is part of WDET’s ongoing series, The Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

Michigan State University researchers have launched a decades-long effort to understand how certain conifer species might adapt to future climate stressors. 

That includes extreme heat and cold, changing soil conditions, invasive pests, disease, and more. 

The project, backed by a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will study three native tree species: jack pine, red pine and eastern white pine, alongside three southern pine species to see how they may adapt to Michigan’s changing environment.

Jeremy Johnson, assistant professor of forest genetics at MSU, says it’s the kind of forward-looking research needed to maintain tree health in the coming century.

“We have to be looking 50 years in the future,” Johnson says. “So much of the research I’ve seen is focused on short-lived species where you can quickly get results but it’s so much harder in [these kinds] trees.”

The research will focus on six test sites statewide and will track progress for 20 years.

Johnson says the study aims to identify trees that are genetically better suited to Michigan’s future climate, and then breed them for stronger growth and resilience.

“We’re dealing with organisms that have very long lives,” explains Johnson “We have to start now, otherwise it’s just going to be too late.”

WDET’s Detroit Tree Canopy Project is an ongoing reporting series that explores the health of Michigan’s trees, forests and urban canopies.