Long Island’s Rising Extreme Heat: Closing the Shade Gap for a Cooler Summer

The recent heat wave swept across the eastern U.S., pushing temperatures into the triple digits. Long Island felt the brunt of it, with some areas reaching 102°F. The high humidity made it feel even hotter, with index numbers soaring to 111°F. Even the local crows struggled to cope during this sweltering weather.

While no single heat wave can be pinned on climate change, scientists from Climate Central indicate that global warming likely made this extreme weather event at least five times more probable. This is just the beginning; experts predict more scorching days ahead. A report from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation projects average yearly temperatures on Long Island could rise by up to 5.8 degrees by the 2050s, and potentially by as much as 9.5 degrees by the 2080s.

The impact of these rising temperatures won’t affect everyone equally. Lower-income communities are particularly vulnerable. In places like Hempstead, there’s a stark lack of trees compared to wealthier areas like Garden City. Trees not only provide shade but also help lessen extreme heat. As William Bailey from New York Communities for Change puts it, “We lack trees and shade. All we have is concrete.”

The benefits of trees go beyond mere aesthetics; they play a crucial role in cooling urban environments. Trees can reduce ambient temperatures by releasing water vapor through a process called evapotranspiration. They also lock away carbon, helping to combat global warming.

A 2021 study published in PLOS One found that low-income neighborhoods have 15.2% less tree cover and can be up to 2.7 degrees hotter than affluent areas. In the Northeast, those disparities are even wider—some disadvantaged areas can have 30% less tree cover, making them 7.2 degrees hotter.

Comparing neighborhoods like Hempstead and Garden City illustrates this gap. In Hempstead, homes sit under the punishing sun, while nearby Garden City enjoys shady streets lined with trees. The difference is striking, with temperature variations potentially reaching 10 degrees based on tree cover alone.

Despite initiatives to increase tree planting, progress has been slow. Federal and state grant programs aimed at enhancing urban canopies have not sufficiently reached Long Island’s neediest neighborhoods. For example, while President Biden allocated significant funds to tree-planting efforts, most of that aid hasn’t trickled down to areas like Hempstead.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has set an ambitious goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033, supported by a $37 million budget. However, less than 3,000 trees have been planted on Long Island since 2024, the lowest of any region in the state.

The contrasts in tree cover and the resulting heat disparities highlight a pressing need for targeted efforts in disadvantaged communities. As resident Bradley Hinton put it, “When you go six blocks away, there are trees everywhere—it’s obviously cooler and more pleasant.”

Improving the tree canopy across all neighborhoods is vital not only for dealing with increasing temperatures but also for promoting environmental equality. As we look towards the future, planting more trees in vulnerable areas may become one of the most effective tools we have to combat the harsh realities of climate change.

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Nassau, Suffolk, Weather, Environment and nature