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Is Shade a Human Right?

When we hear the saying ‘made in the shade’, we usually associate it with someone’s success, or an example of easy living. For example, he really has it ‘made in the shade.’ But today, as climate change accelerates, I suggest there could be another association. I am asking, does everyone have a right to some shade that could be made to lesson the impacts of extreme heat?

We are seeing more openings of spray parks and urban cooling centers these days; signs that rising summer temperatures need mitigation plans. There are some plans in place, and they appear on websites, broadcasts, and interactive maps to help residents find cooling centers when temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the temperatures near this height, we see residents waiting for buses looking for a sliver of shade cast by a utility pole. While some bus stops have canopies, most do not.

We know that street trees provide shade, and we have the tools and data that support the many roles trees have in mitigating climate impacts. They boost the ecosystem health and they improve human well-being. We are seeing urban tree canopy plans proliferating because we understand the role of trees in lowering temperatures. But even with long-term tree maintenance included in city budgets, it will be at least a decade before some of these newly planted tree canopies begin to make an impact on shade.

I think of all the places built without shade; playgrounds sit on asphalt, concrete, or an artificial material. Stadiums have rows and rows of seats without cover. Sidewalks, narrow, and sometimes too close to the hard shoulder for a tree, don’t have any shade cover.

Because trees take a long time to mature, perhaps there could be temporary shade structures designed and installed in these areas. Since air rights over streets and sidewalks can now be leased to developers, planners might instead put the air rights to better use as framework for light-weight shade structures—temporary, adjustable installations.

When planning parks, waiting areas, playgrounds and other outdoor infrastructure, attention should be paid to shade. In making policy, if designers and city planners see shade as a human right, that we are all shade-loving creatures after all, we can improve the comfort and livability of our cities. It is something we can do to relieve future climate impacts.