A city’s sustainability office reported that between 2015 and 2020 it planted more than 20,000 street trees, increasing the city’s overall tree canopy. In a public summary of the program, the office noted that average household electricity use in July was lower in 2020 than in 2015. The summary argues that the expansion of tree canopy was a main cause of the drop in July electricity use because increased shade and cooling from trees reduced residents’ need for air conditioning.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the underlined claim?