Heat waves are becoming more common. Expanding New York City's tree canopy can help keep us cool

The metropolitan region has experienced more extreme heat this summer than usual, and climate experts say it'll only get worse. But trees — or nature's air conditioning — can help keep us cool.

Tami Lin-Moges is the Interim New York Cities Director for at The Nature Conservancy which convened and is a leading member of the Forest for All NYC coalition. City Council Member Erik Bottcher represents parts of Lower and Midtown Manhattan and sponsored the new law last year.

They both joined WNYC Morning Edition host Michael Hill to talk about a New York City law that requires the city set a plan to expand its tree canopy by almost 10% and why growing tree cover is more complicated than just planting more trees.