How can cities help protect nature and human health?
In this article published by McGill Reporter, Prof. Gonzalez highlights the importance of cities and municipalities in protecting biodiversity and ecosystems which provide us and the planet countless health benefits.
“Think of the ways in which trees cool urban temperatures in the summer, how wetlands provide resilience during storms, and the many ways in which urban green spaces give us health benefits and provide spaces to play and relax...”
Even though there is an inverse relationship between urban growth and biodiversity protection - where urban development and expansion cause habitat destruction and fragmentation - it is possible to mitigate the negative impacts and protect habitats as outlined by this recent paper (co-authored by Prof Gonzalez and his master’s student Valentin Lucet).
By bringing different communities together and creating collaborations between researchers and stakeholders, we can translate science into action and create better urban environements for everyone - from the smallest organism to us humans.