By Chloe Tai | NY1

Last week, City Council took a big step toward increasing tree coverage in the five boroughs.

Lawmakers passed an amendment to the New York City Charter to include the consideration of trees in the city’s long-term sustainability plans.

The amendment still needs to be signed by Mayor Eric Adams.

Advocates say planting more trees will lead to cooler neighborhoods, reduced temperatures and improved public health.

This comes as the city saw extreme heat over the summer.

City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who represents Central Park, Lincoln Square, the Upper West Side and Clinton, is the sponsor of the bill.

She, alongside Emily Maxwell, the director of the Nature Conservancy’s New York City Program, joined host Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Tuesday night to talk more about what the amendment means.

“Trees play a critical role,” Maxwell said. “They clean our air. They cool our streets. They benefit our communities by beautifying them. They provide a habitat for all kinds of critters. They make sure our water is cleaner and quite honestly, they’re good for our health and well-being. They make us feel better.”

The Nature Conservancy is also a leading member and convener of the citywide coalition Forest for All NYC, which is advocating for environmental conservation.

Watch here.