Summary

This study by Robert I. McDonald, Tanushree Biswas, Cedilla Sachar, Ian Housman, Timothy M. Boucher, Deborah Balk, David Nowak, Erica Spotswood, Charlotte K. Stanley, and Stefan Leyk look at how tree coverage and wealth are correlated in urban areas where tree coverage is a more scarce resource than in rural areas. They use satellite data and census data to get tree coverage and income. In the U.S. high income blocks have 60 million more trees than low income blocks(McDonald, et. al). It would take $17.6 Billion to close this gap. Trees are valuable. In addition to this study, I included an article by Saima May Sidik about how trees contribute to the physiological health of those around them. Trees are more than just plants. Nature is an ailment to many a concrete born disease. Immune support, blood pressure, and anxiety become healthier as tree presence increases. A lack of trees isn’t a lack of a privilege, it is the lack of basic health support. It is comparable to living in polluted areas. It is not an acceptable status quo. 

Results & Statistics

In our country, the reality is that nothing isn’t monetizable. Living in basic, humane conditions is for sale implying it must be paid for. It is clearly not a right. And by this graph, the privilege is clearly sought after.