# Phoenix’s Heat Divide and the Trees to Fix It | Mesa News

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mesa-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7559357/phoenix-s-heat-divide-and-the-trees-to-fix-it-mesa-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mesa-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7559357/phoenix-s-heat-divide-and-the-trees-to-fix-it-mesa-news.md
Podcast: [Mesa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/mesa-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7559357)
Published: 2026-07-28T00:18:41+00:00
Episode link: https://sources.thednn.ai/a3b4109bf711b3ac
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/36e0862d-2472-4646-bf1d-4cc966b0c3eb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mesa-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7559357/episodes/phoenix-s-heat-divide-and-the-trees-to-fix-it-mesa-news
Duration seconds: 93

## Resource

Phoenix’s southern and western neighborhoods are baking under extreme heat due to dangerously low tree cover—sometimes as little as two percent—creating a worsening urban heat island effect. The city’s response? A bold new Shade Plan launched two years ago, aiming to restore balance by planting trees and installing shade structures where it’s needed most. Since 2024, the Community Canopy program has planted over 450 trees in south Phoenix alone, while Canopy for Kids has added 68 trees and schools now boast eight new shade structures. Four pedestrian shade shelters also dot busy intersections. But it’s not just city efforts—local groups like Unlimited Potential are planting trees and teaching care, because as one arborist warns, trees only cool if they’re tended. This push is part of a larger fight against the heat trapped by decades of concrete replacing farmland and green space, making extreme temperatures unbearable for residents and homes. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/a3b4109bf711b3ac

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