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Tell Congress: we must invest in parks for climate resilience

This Earth Day, we have a unique opportunity to help make our communities more resilient in the face of climate change.

Urge your members of Congress to fight flooding, destruction, and extreme heat in communities that need it the most.

We know that parks, trees, and green infrastructure matter. They help withstand the flooding from stormwater and provide cooling shade from heat.

Why? Flooding is causing more destruction than ever before, and extreme heat now causes more death than all other weather events, according to the CDC.

It’s not fair that communities of color and low-income areas are at greater risk for extreme heat and flooding brought on by our changing climate.

Parks serving primarily communities of color are half the size of parks in majority-white neighborhoods and serve five times more people per acre.

More parks, more trees, and more green infrastructure will prepare all of us for the impacts of climate change.

This Earth Day, tell your members of Congress to support investments that will make us climate resilient and improve equitable access to nature for all.

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By taking action, you will receive important updates about our work and how you can help Trust for Public Land protect public land and parks for people.

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RE: Invest in parks for climate resilience

To [Decision Maker], 

I'm writing to urge you to support investments that will make vulnerable communities more resilient to climate change while also ensuring everyone has access to nature.

A historic investment in neighborhood parks, trees, and green infrastructure will help mitigate the effects of climate change in communities that are most at risk from extreme weather events. Green, shady parks protect people from rising temperatures, reduce the deadly "urban heat island effect," absorb air pollution, and filter storm water. Further, local parks have lasting benefits for public health. Scientific research finds that parks, green space, and outdoor activity reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, and improve physical health.

Yet today, more than 100 million people in the U.S., including 28 million children, do not have a quality park or green space within a 10-minute walk of home. A recent analysis found parks serving predominantly nonwhite populations are half the size of parks that serve predominantly white populations and serve five times more people per acre. Those equity gaps put low-income and minority communities at a disadvantage as the climate crisis worsens.

We know that in America and around the world, climate change and social justice are inextricable. We must put equity at the center of our solutions to the climate crisis by investing in infrastructure - including parks and green space - that deliver climate resilience and strong economic benefits.

For these reasons, I strongly urge you to support robust funding for local parks and equitable access to nature. If we maximize the opportunities for all Americans to experience the benefits of nature, then every community - regardless of zip code - will be stronger, healthier, and more connected for generations to come.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]