雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today in our environmental science lecture, we'll discuss urban green spaces. Recent studies show that parks in cities do more than just beautify the area. They help reduce the 'heat island' effect, where built-up areas become significantly warmer than surrounding rural zones. Trees and grass cool the air through evaporation and shade. Additionally, these spaces improve mental health by providing a quiet retreat from noisy streets. However, the maintenance cost is often underestimated, and many cities struggle to fund regular upkeep. Despite this, the long-term benefits, such as reduced energy consumption from lower temperatures, outweigh the initial investment.