London Climate Change Partnership calls for more trees and green roofs as mitigation measures

Four reports are being discussed during a week of events organised by the Government Office for London and the London Climate Change Partnership to help London local government, services providers and businesses to find out how the capital’s climate is going to change, so that we can prepare for extreme weather in the future.

http://www.london.gov.uk/lccp/press/press-29092009.jsp

The ‘Adapting to Climate Change: the role of public procurement’ report concludes that millions of pounds of tax-payers money is being spent on buildings and projects that do not include adaptation measures (such as rainwater harvesting, green roofs and trees to provide summer shading) and consequently they will soon not be fit for purpose. The report shows that current procurement processes can be changed to ensure these are included.

Driving ourselves in the wrong direction: the lack of street trees and the continuing paving over of gardens for car parking will exacerbate the negative effects of climate change. Should this be allowed without a commensurate creation of uncovered ground elsewhere, or the installion of an equivalent surface area of green roofing?

9/9/09: Scientist - 'Disappearing urban gardens could be costing lives'

Dr Ross Cameron a lecturer at the University of Reading UK, and an expert in amenity horticulture, has told the British Science Festival that green urban spaces and gardens play an important role in keeping us sane and fit. They are also useful in cooling inner city temperatures – a problem that will increase with global warming – and also cooling tempers. Studies, he said, had shown that greenery and gardens could reduce crime levels by up to a third, particularly domestic violence levels.

“Creating a concrete jungle does cost lives. It costs lives in terms of depression and encouraging unhealthy lifestyles.”

Full article at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6156068/Garden-grabbing-could-cost-lives.html

Buglife: Minibeast hunt in the garden

Get the kids to take an interest in, and value gardens for their wildlife.

Resources here:

http://www.buglife.org.uk/News/Minibeasthuntinthegarden.htm

But first find a garden .......

1/9/09: London Wildlife Trust - Garden for a Living London campaign

Garden for a Living London

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/gardening/Home/tabid/384/Default.aspx

The LWT says: 'Let's transform London's three million gardens into a network of mini nature reserves! Pledge to become a wildlife and climate friendly gardener and get your free 'how to' guides.'

I.e., don't do this .......


CONSERVATION STARTS AT HOME. Spot the Sparrow, Bee, Butterfly etc. habitat here. Car parks = sterility = homelessness = death = a further decline in numbers.