31.7.2018
Green trees and plants will prevent atmospheric damage, both on a global and on a local scale. Climate change will cause extreme heat and drought, alternated with excessive rainfall. This will make high demands on the urban environment. Trees and plants in a city can provide a cooling effect in case of a heat wave.
In the case of extreme rainfall, a planted soil will have a better water storage capacity than asphalt and concrete. It has been suggested that cities could prevent flooding by constructing so-called ‘wadis’. These planted areas, situated below surface level, can be temporarily flooded during excessive rainfall, preventing overloaded sewers. But public green places, like parks and gardens, contribute to a healthy urban climate as well.
Citizens themselves also play a role in fighting climate problems with having an unpaved and green front- and back garden. People without a garden can also contribute to a green environment. They can opt for ‘green roofs’ or by having a ‘pavement garden patch’: you lift out some paving in front of their houses and replace these with plants. Some cities even encourage such citizen initiatives by granting subsidies.
Climate
Green fighting climate change
Green trees and plants will prevent atmospheric damage, both on a global and on a local scale. Climate change will cause extreme heat and drought, alternated with excessive rainfall. This will make high demands on the urban environment. Trees and plants in a city can provide a cooling effect in case of a heat wave.
In the case of extreme rainfall, a planted soil will have a better water storage capacity than asphalt and concrete. It has been suggested that cities could prevent flooding by constructing so-called ‘wadis’. These planted areas, situated below surface level, can be temporarily flooded during excessive rainfall, preventing overloaded sewers. But public green places, like parks and gardens, contribute to a healthy urban climate as well.
Citizens themselves also play a role in fighting climate problems with having an unpaved and green front- and back garden. People without a garden can also contribute to a green environment. They can opt for ‘green roofs’ or by having a ‘pavement garden patch’: you lift out some paving in front of their houses and replace these with plants. Some cities even encourage such citizen initiatives by granting subsidies.
