July 19, 2022, marked the one-year anniversary of the UK’s hottest day in history, when temperatures soared to a scorching 40.3°C (104.5°F) in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. While Britain may not currently be experiencing the same heatwave as Europe, new heat maps from that historic day reveal how certain areas of English cities can be up to 5°C warmer due to a lack of trees or greenery. The analysis, conducted by environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) and mapping experts TerraSulis, demonstrates that neighborhoods with more tree cover and green spaces are significantly cooler compared to those lacking vegetation.
This study is groundbreaking as it is the first time the cooling benefits of trees and green spaces in urban areas have been modeled. On the heat maps, the hottest areas of each city are depicted as dark red, while the coolest, most nature-rich spots are shown as light blue. The cities where the temperature difference is most noticeable are Birmingham and Manchester. However, the presence of major parks in London, as well as ample tree cover and green space to the north of Bristol city center, highlights how much cooler these areas are in comparison to the concrete jungles found elsewhere in the cities.
The research covered five English cities: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, and Manchester. FOE and TerraSulis found that people of color make up 65% of the population in neighborhoods with the least cooling, indicating that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by a lack of tree cover. Lower-income individuals are also significantly impacted. The UK Health Security Agency reported 2,803 excess deaths during the summer of 2022, with hot weather posing particular risks for older people, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Personal accounts from individuals affected by the heatwave highlight the severity of the situation. Chris Kilby, an FOE member with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, shares his struggles during extremely hot weather, stating that it becomes nearly impossible for him to leave his house. Rowha Mohid, founder of GuiltlessThreads, emphasizes the need for green spaces in low-income, urban areas, stating that working-class communities deserve the same rights to clean air, green space, and a healthy environment as wealthier ones.
Previous research by FOE revealed that people of color are four times more likely to reside in areas at high risk of dangerous heat levels. Additionally, nearly half of England’s neighborhoods, equivalent to 28 million people, will be exposed to “very hot weather” with just 2.7°F (1.5°C) of warming. These numbers increase significantly with higher global temperatures, potentially affecting up to 81% of neighborhoods and putting 30 million people at risk of “dangerously hot weather.”
Efforts have been made to improve green spaces in urban areas, such as the Government’s Levelling Up Parks Fund, London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s urban greening initiatives, and Birmingham’s plan to double green spaces by 2040. However, the Climate Change Committee’s recent report to Parliament highlighted the slow progress in tackling climate change.
FOE calls for a commitment of at least 20% tree cover in urban areas as part of the upcoming Urban Trees Standard. They also advocate for prioritizing more than 3,000 vulnerable neighborhoods for a council-led, street-by-street insulation program to ensure homes remain cool in summer and warm in winter. Increasing tree numbers not only helps cool urban areas but also aids in capturing carbon, benefiting both communities and the planet.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, plays a crucial role in controlling and limiting climate change. Its main goals include keeping global average temperature increases below 2°C (3.6ºF) and aiming to limit it to 1.5°C (2.7°F). Research suggests that achieving the more ambitious target of 1.5°C is crucial, as 25% of the world could experience significant drier conditions. The agreement also emphasizes the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible and rapid reductions thereafter based on the best available science.
Source: European Commission
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