Today in our environmental science lecture, we'll discuss urban green spaces. A recent study in Melbourne found that parks can reduce local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius during heatwaves. However, the effect depends on tree canopy coverage. Areas with less than 30% canopy showed minimal cooling. Interestingly, small pocket parks with dense trees were more effective than larger open lawns. The study also noted that residents living within 500 meters of a green space reported better mental health. But researchers warned that simply adding grass without trees does little to combat urban heat, and recommended prioritizing tree planting in disadvantaged neighborhoods.