While world leaders, policymakers, and corporations gather to discuss the future of our planet at New York Climate Week, the urgency of this moment demands actual action that is felt by communities on the ground. That’s why we are continuing our work with Bronx is Blooming by planting hundreds of trees in the South Bronx to directly address long-standing critical issues related to air quality, urban tree equity, and climate justice.
For decades, these residents have lived under the burden of disproportionately high air pollution and childhood asthma rates, a consequence of the many industrial facilities and heavy-duty traffic that pollute their air. These communities have endured environmental injustices that threaten not only their health but their very quality of life.
One simple yet powerful solution to these complex challenges is planting trees. When we last visited Crotona Park in December 2022, we witnessed firsthand how volunteers had cleared invasive species, mulched tree beds, and nurtured new growth. These efforts turned a neglected space into a well-maintained green haven, in a borough where such places are few and far between.
Trees act as natural air purifiers, absorbing pollutants, sequestering carbon, and reducing the urban heat island effect. In neighborhoods where tree canopy cover is dangerously low, the impact of more trees goes beyond just environmental benefits; it’s about public health, climate resilience, and restoring dignity to communities that have been ignored for too long.
Urban tree equity isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of social justice. In areas with the least tree cover, you often find the highest rates of violence, the weakest infrastructure, and the greatest vulnerability to climate extremes. We’ve worked with communities across the US; we’ve planted 5,000 trees in Los Angeles and supported the launch of a high school tree ambassador program in Chicago. And that’s why planting trees in the South Bronx isn’t just about greening the city—it’s about rewriting the future for generations of New Yorkers who deserve better.
As thousands of climate leaders discuss global solutions this week, Ecosia’s partnership with Bronx is Blooming serves as a reminder: the most effective climate action doesn’t happen in conference rooms—it happens in communities. By working alongside local organizations like Bronx is Blooming, we’re proving that planting the right trees in the right place is a powerful, immediate step toward achieving climate justice. Together, we’re creating cleaner, greener spaces that serve as a beacon of hope for what climate action should look like in this critical decade.
