Disparities in urban vegetation degradation and heat exposure during drought periods in U.S. cities

Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the necessity for the equitable distribution of urban green spaces across sociodemographic groups. Nevertheless, the extant research consistently highlights disparities in this allocation, frequently neglecting the critical implications of extreme droughts on vegetation-related inequalities. Leveraging satellite observations in conjunction with census data, we examine the drought-related disparities in urban vegetation degradation (UVD) and the corresponding heat exposure across sociodemographic groups within major U.S. cities. Our findings reveal that marginalized communities experience more severe UVD during droughts, a trend particularly pronounced in Sunbelt U.S. cities, such as those in Southern California and Texas. Additionally, the unequal UVD during drought exacerbates existing inequalities in heat exposure. These results highlight the urgent need for the implementation of targeted policies, including effective water supply management strategies. Such measures could mitigate thermal environmental injustices and promote equitable vegetation distribution under a warming climate.