There are numerous actions we can take to help combat global warming. The main one is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. But what do we do about the gases that are already in the atmosphere?
Forests absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. However, due to increased human expansion and urbanization, we no longer have enough space for forests. How can we help prevent global warming?
Positive effects of urban vegetation
In cities, land-use planning is a necessary tool for distributing space and assigning functionality and specific land uses. Parks and trees are essential in urban areas. Urban vegetation offers numerous advantages for the urban environment and helps mitigate the effects of climate change in Spain , thus highlighting the importance of vegetation in the fight against global warming.
One of the positive effects is providing recreational spaces for the urban population where children can become familiar with nature and spend afternoons outdoors, a very healthy habit in our technologically advanced world. Furthermore, these green areas also contribute to climate change adaptation strategies , highlighting the importance of vegetation in the fight against global warming.
Another effect is the improvement of climatic conditions, as vegetation acts as a filter and reduces wind speed , preventing the spread of dust particles and thus reducing soil erosion. This has a positive impact on air quality, as mentioned in the article on air pollution , which highlights the relationship between vegetation and environmental quality, and the advantages of urban forest parks in combating global warming.
Urban green spaces also act as noise buffers. Traffic, congestion, high noise pollution levels, etc., are the main sources of noise, and vegetation acts as a sound barrier, much like the noise barriers on highways do for nearby homes. Noise reduction is another advantage of urban forest parks in the fight against global warming.
Finally, it would reduce environmental pollution since plants absorb the fumes emitted by motor vehicles and would decrease the polluting effect of smog (the effect that looks like a fog in the mornings when viewing the city from afar), thus improving the health of citizens.
Quick Urban Forestation Project
The aim is to promote the establishment of urban forest parks with native species. These techniques do not require irrigation and would save municipal governments significant water and maintenance costs. This initiative can serve as an example of how green spaces help mitigate the effects of climate change in Spain.
This project was presented at La Casa Encendida in Madrid. Co-financed by the LIFE+ Programme, the project aims to create more green spaces in cities through best practices in the implementation, participation, and management of urban forests. The creation of these green areas can contribute to a more sustainable future.
According to the data studied, the area dedicated to green space in Spanish cities is only between 2% and 5% of their urban area . However, in Anglo-Saxon countries, almost 30% of the land is dedicated to green spaces. This difference underscores the need to promote green areas in our cities, which is crucial for combating global warming.
The concept of urban forests is more developed in the Anglo-Saxon world than in the Mediterranean world.
Implantation technique without watering
To save municipal administrations money and conserve water during droughts, a plan has been proposed to implement green spaces that don't require irrigation. Among the techniques used to test plants' heat resistance is the introduction of mycorrhizae, a fungus that helps plants retain water and grow stronger. This method is also related to the efficiency of water treatment technologies in arid regions.
A water-retaining method will also be implemented. This involves polymers applied to tree roots to help them retain moisture when it rains. This innovation is essential for addressing the challenges of climate change.
The benefits of creating urban forests extend beyond simply creating microclimates similar to a garden; they also contribute to air and soil purification and provide recreational opportunities for the community. People generally enjoy a forest more than a treeless park. This phenomenon is also observed in the context of heat stress in cities.
In addition to environmental benefits, there are other advantages and benefits, such as social and economic ones, such as the use of forest prunings to produce biomass energy or compost, which is also a great way to make use of resources.
This initiative can be consulted on the Quick Urban Forestación website.
