As a hardworking taxpayer, you may have blocked this out of your memory for the sake of your blood pressure, but in 2021, the Democrats' spending bill included $2.5 BILLION for "tree equity."
Since then, the non-profit group American Forests has been expanding throughout the U.S., the U.K., and now Canada.
The City of Ottawa, Canada's capital, wants to choose which neighborhoods deserve more trees based on race and other identity factors. They want to make sure the urban forest meets their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Because, you know, even trees have to be politically correct these days.
A report from Ottawa's climate change and forestry officials is headed to the City Council on June 26. It suggests the city conduct a "tree equity analysis" to decide where to plant trees.
Toronto, of course, is already on board.
The report, under the section "INDIGENOUS GENDER AND EQUITY IMPLICATIONS" (whatever that means for tree-planting), proposes one analysis, known as a "Tree Equity Score," which considers factors such as race, age, language, employment, mental health, and income.
If the council gives the green light, those are the factors that will decide where trees should be planted. 🙄
In practical applications, the use of this method aims to lessen disparities by incorporating demographic information into tree planting prioritization.
The Tree Equity Score uses a combined index to of socioeconomic factors to identify communities at the greatest risk of not receiving urban forest benefits. These factors include race, age, income, employment, and health. By using the index in this method, 14 staff are ensuring that socioeconomic dimensions of equity will be considered when implementing the Tree Planting Strategy.
Another suggested scoring system from Nature Canada involves mapping the connection between tree cover and income, as well as tree cover and the percentage of "racialized" populations.
The "Tree Equity Score" will "guide the prioritization of tree planting and the development of neighbourhood-specific planting plans and programs, helping to ensure trees are planted where they are needed the most."
Everything suggested in the report is based on race and identity.
Urban areas tend to mean fewer trees to make room for buildings, roads, shops, etc., BUT things can't be that simple.
Urban areas with fewer trees apparently also mean racism and inequality.
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