More trees needed to combat health impacts of more frequent heatwaves

Green Assembly Member Jenny Jones criticises the Mayor of London for a net increase in street trees of 9000 over 2 years whilst having a target of increasing the amount of trees by 2 million by 2025.

London Eye seen through trees

According to a data request, there was a net increase of just under 9,000 street trees planted by London boroughs over the three year period 2010/11 – 2012/13. During this time 30,680 street trees were planted, and 21,705 felled.

The data revealed that several boroughs (Barnet, Bromley, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, Southwark and Sutton) removed more trees than they planted, with Kingston recording the worst net loss.  Bexley, Havering and Wandsworth were virtually unchanged. The data was obtained through a Freedom of Information Request by London Assembly Member Jenny Jones. 

Summer temperatures are predicted to keep rising, aggravating the effects of London’s Urban Heat Island effect, which typically keeps the most built up areas warmer, typically by 3-40C, compared to outlying rural areas. During a heatwave this can be as much as 11°C warmer. Scientists from Imperial College London found that in the most vulnerable districts, in London and the southeast, the odds of dying from heart or lung causes increased by more than 10 per cent for every 10C rise in temperature. These included Hackney and Tower Hamlets, where the odds of dying more than doubled on very hot days.

Jenny Jones AM said: 

“To help London adapt to temperature increases the Mayor has a strategic aim of increasing tree canopy cover by 5 per cent by 2025, the equivalent of 2 million extra trees.  However it is not clear how this will be achieved, nor how this is targeted in central London’s built up locations where heat island effect is most pronounced and the risk to vulnerable people is greatest”

“Sadly the Mayor rejected my call to consider the ‘Million Trees New York City’ model which delivers 100,000 trees every year, compared to his 10,000 over four years”

Uncategorised

To top