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The lack of shade in the city of Los Angeles has become a real problem for its residents, who suffer the ravages of rising temperatures every year, especially those who live in low-income areas, which is why experts urge to create more green areas, especially in schools and public spaces.
According to the most recent Los Angeles County Health survey, 18 percent of youth do not have easy access to a park, playground or other safe place for recreation, with the most vulnerable communities facing the inequality due to lack of green spaces.
Research has shown that greening schoolyards has a direct impact on children's safety, health, and learning ability; However, most schools need more green space or shade, experts said during a briefing by Ethnic Media Services.
Marci Raney, program director of the Office of Wellness at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, former associate professor of kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles and an exercise physiologist and playground safety inspector, said having coverage is recommended. of 30 percent of tree canopies to mitigate the increasing rise in global temperatures.
However, the California Schoolyard Canopy Equity Study published by Green School Yards America shows that 2.6 million students across the state interact daily in schoolyards, so It is essential to have green areas available.
Likewise, he explained that these environmental conditions have contributed to higher rates of asthma, chronic absenteeism, physical inactivity, heat exhaustion and cognitive challenges.
?It is important that schoolyards become a place to improve life. Removing asphalt and planting trees can effectively counteract aspects of climate change and the urban heat island effect; “Schoolyards alone have the power to improve the overall health and well-being of everyone,” Raney added.
Rocío Rivas, a member of the LAUSD District 2 School Board and chair of the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education's Green Schools and Climate Resilience Committee, explained that this is the first time the district has a committee focused solely on making schools greener and make the school district more climate resilient.
"It is a holistic effort to transform our schools and make them more ecological, we are healthier or the students are healthier, smarter, they feel safe, connected in the communities that surround these schools and it also has very profound effects," commented Rivas. .
Likewise, he explained that they are working on a comprehensive plan to improve energy efficiency in schools, which includes replacing windows and updating systems and facilities; This will not only create a more comfortable learning environment, but will reduce energy costs and free up resources for curricular integration of critical needs.
Christos Chrysiliou, director of eco-sustainability for the Los Angeles Unified School District, commented that for him the most important thing is to take care of children, since they are the future, so combining both things is the real boost.
In addition, he commented that 500 million dollars have been invested in playground projects, in what they called the Community-Based Seed Project. Just like that project, there are different types of projects that are currently being worked on, although there is much more to do and more financing is needed to continue the work.
?Now understanding the crisis, we wanted to make sure we had more responsibility and take more action by developing an office that focuses on specific resolutions and looked at how we can be more energy efficient, be able to save our natural resources, clean our schools; “We focus on those areas and have developed internal program initiatives and partnerships,” Chrysiliou added.
Tori Kjer is executive director of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, a nonprofit organization formed to address hurricane risks and ensure everyone has equitable access to parks, open space, and greening everywhere.
He explained that, in Los Angeles, they have prioritized work in low-income communities of color, planning, designing and building parks, but they also focused on green schoolyards and do advocacy to ensure that policies and funding are in place to support this. job.
"For 20 years, we have been talking about green schools, I must say there has been a lot of work since the Coalition began and the district is really showing itself to be an enthusiastic partner, which we deeply appreciate," Kjer stressed.
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