Although most of our climate action efforts are directed at reducing the use of fossil fuel as a source of energy, there are other sources of carbon dioxide that depend, for example, on whether we use our land for burying garbage or for literally greening the city. The City of Boston is:

• Expanding recycling programs for residents and municipal operations to divert garbage from landfills and reuse valuable materials



• Planting more trees to cool the city and absorb carbon dioxide



• Protecting our wetlands and urban wilds



• Maintaining and updating comprehensive plans to protect our open spaces

Boston enjoys the beauty and benefits of a half million trees that spread a canopy shading 30 percent of its area and remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air. The City of Boston, working with the Urban Forest Coalition and the State Department of Conservation and Recreation , is expanding these benefits with Growing Boston Greener, a program that will plant 100,000 trees in Boston by the year 2020 This initiative includes a Neighborhood Roots program, which helps residents and business owners get involved, mobilizing Boston's citizenry around this ambitious goal and demonstrating that each individual can take action to expand Boston's green space.