I am writing with concern about development on View Avenue in Northampton. This hot summer has shown how important it is for us to plan for the future, and a large body of trees is an oasis of cool in the midst of a paved city, providing respite for our neighbors, both human and not. We know that large trees provide shade, transpire to cool the area, and also sequester carbon more effectively than newly planted trees. A small forest is an irreplaceable tool in our future of a warmer climate, as I hope the city of Northampton will protect it and us.

Christina White

Florence