Photo: Images Alight (Flickr)

London launches tree planting scheme after record heatwave

02 August 2022

by Christopher Carey

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a £3.1 million (US$3.78 million) tree planting scheme as part of efforts to combat climate change in the UK capital.

The announcement follows July’s record heatwave, which saw temperatures soar over 40 degrees Celsius, resulting in wildfires that destroyed over 40 homes on the outskirts of the city.

“The extreme temperatures and fires that raged across the capital laid bare how vulnerable London is to the effects of climate change,” said Mayor Khan.

“These additional street trees and improvements to green spaces are targeted in areas where they’re most needed and will improve the resilience of neighbourhoods in our city.”

Urban heat island

Heat in cities is intensified by the ‘Urban Heat Island’ effect as a result of the sun’s rays being absorbed by hard surfaces instead of trees, plants and grass.

Increasing the number of trees can help tackle this issue, cooling cities and providing shade while making them more resilient to flooding.

Since 2016 over 430,000 trees have been planted across London, including two major woodland creation projects, creating an additional 85 hectares of new accessible green space.

According to City Hall, London’s trees are estimated to provide £133 million of benefits every year, helping improve air quality by removing 2,241 tonnes of pollution annually, including harmful PM10 particulates and NO2 roadside emissions.

Philip Glanville, London Councils’ Climate Change, Transport and Environment Lead, said: “London boroughs are collaborating with partners, like the Mayor of London, on initiatives such as this that work for every resident across London’s diverse communities and crucially, have a long-lasting impact.

“More trees in London will contribute to our capital’s climate resilience, especially in areas more vulnerable to climate risk, and will take steps to ensure that London can continue to thrive as a resilient and green city.”

The UK’s Environment Agency has warned that prolonged dry weather over the coming weeks could push the capital and the southeast into a drought in August.

Images Alight (Flickr)

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