What's Driving The Need For Change

Based on the Denton's 2019 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report, the largest local GHG contributor was transportation at 51%, followed by energy use at 34% and solid waste at 8%. Transportation is also the largest source of GHG nationwide, accounting for 27% of the U.S. total.

In Denton, the average person drives 10,000 miles annually, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and poor air quality, and in 2019, approximately 91% of all trips in Denton were by vehicle, and only 9% were taken by walking and cycling

As a City, we aim to contribute by enhancing land use planning and updating mobility system guidelines for new development to reduce emissions and provide improvements in safety, traffic, and quality of life. The relationship of mobility to land use can also help improve connections and access in communities that are historically disadvantaged and undeserved.

Investing in active transportation infrastructure and using alternative means of transportation can help ensure that those walking, biking, and rolling can travel safely, reduce harmful emissions, and reduce the impact on the natural and human environment, helping improve the quality of life in our community.

Planting the Seed for Change

Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the health of our planet. And while it will take many solutions working together to make a difference, trees are the proven, affordable, natural way that can be implemented quickly to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere today.

"More recently the industry is moving towards planting adopted trees that are native to warmer climates but are hardy enough to handle colder climates. In Denton we've added Mexican Sycamore and Monterey Oak, aka Mexican White Oak, to our mix to increase species diversity." Haywood Morgan, City of Denton Urban Forester.

As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. So whether you plant trees around your home and property or in the community, they will help fight climate change. The added benefit, according to the U.S. Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research, just three trees, properly placed around a house, can save up to 30% of energy use. If you're ready to use trees to help us create a more clean and connected community, visit www.kdb.org.