This month Bourbon Heritage Month was celebrated in an epic fashion.
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and American Forests brought their Tree Equity commitment to New York City with a vital tree planting. Bulleit also continued its partnership with Street Art for Mankind, in support of the United Nations Environment Programme, by creating a colorful, 3D, 12,800 square foot mural on the side of the Javits Center in their pledge to restore ecosystems and raise awareness for the critical need for Ecosystem Restoration as part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Bulleit and a group of Brooklyn volunteers and guests came out on Sept. 19 to support Tree Equity improvement efforts in New York. Disadvantaged communities across the US have historically suffered the most from unequal access to trees, and the heat-reducing shade, fresh air, and climate resiliency that they provide. Tree Time, a program of NYC Parks and the City Park Foundation, and American Forests used their tools to identify an area on Laurel Hill Boulevard that, because of its proximity to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, and the industrial activity for the past 150 years, desperately needed trees to help purify the air and provide shade to local residents.
“At the end of the hottest summer in recorded history, it is clear that achieving Tree Equity in US cities is urgently needed to bring the life-saving natural cooling and clean air trees provide to every neighborhood,” said Jad Daley, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Forests. “Here in New York City, for example, we can achieve Tree Equity with an additional 1.7 million trees in the right places. Our powerful partnership with Bulleit is advancing Tree Equity in New York City and using art to inspire us toward a better future.”
We talked to the American Forests Program Operation Lead, Bill Toomey, to learn more.
The Knockturnal: Why is Tree Equity important?
Bill Toomey: Tree Equity refers to the American Forest’s efforts to bring the many benefits of trees and urban greening to communities across the country, especially those that have disproportionately felt the impacts of redlining, lack of green space, and now, climate change. America and the world have reached a tipping point. Communities around the country are experiencing the direct effects of climate change, including dangerously high temperatures, reduced air quality, and direct health impacts for residents living in neighborhoods with low tree canopy and green space. The data is there. According to our Tree Equity Score analysis of 2,600 urban areas in the United States, communities of color have 38% less tree cover and are over 10°F hotter than white communities, and lower-income neighborhoods have 28% less cover and are almost 7°F hotter than wealthier ones.
With heat-related deaths on track to increase from 12,000 to 100,000 annually by the end of the century — affecting mainly poorer communities, communities of color and homes with inadequate cooling — it has become clear that the tree gap has life or death consequences. It is a moral crisis of our time.
The Knockturnal: Why does the NYC planting mean so much to American Forests?
Bill Toomey: During the week of September 18, 2023, the global community came together in NYC for Climate Week to highlight the sense of urgency of taking meaningful climate action now. A recurring theme throughout the week was that natural climate solutions delivered with an equity and inclusive approach is absolutely necessary to deliver the impact and results we need to minimize the impacts of our changing climate on people, communities and the planet. Planting trees and restoring forests are a meaningful and long-lasting climate change solution. The planting sites supported by Bulleit are some of the hardest hit in the area by heat severity and health complaints as showcased by American Forests Tree Equity Score.
Streets that lack trees and tree canopy experience higher temperatures than streets that have more trees. Trees improve air quality by removing pollution and reduce heat, which can be lifesaving during record hot summers like the one many communities are currently experiencing.
The neighborhoods along Newtown Creek have been disproportionately impacted by the past 150 years of industrial activity along the waterfront and increasing canopy cover for this community is an issue of equity. Both the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway present ongoing air quality challenges that trees will help mitigate.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell me more about how and why you are partnering with Bulleit. Why is this relationship so incredible?
Bill Toomey: Bulleit is a powerful example of a corporation that has a comprehensive sustainable commitment and is backing that up with meaningful action. They’ve taken a substantial stance on advancing Tree Equity in cities around the country, not just through financial support for American Forests’ work but also by dedicating their workforce to volunteer at local tree plantings and by harnessing other influential partnerships that raise awareness about other crucial issues consistent with company values.