Home / Environment / Bench Heats Up to 43C: UK Urged to Plant More Trees
Bench Heats Up to 43C: UK Urged to Plant More Trees
10 Aug
Summary
- A sunlit bench reached 43C while shaded versions stayed at 26C.
- Tree shade can significantly lower temperatures by up to 12C.
- Government obstacles hinder tree planting for urban cooling.
Recent heatwaves underscore the critical need for increased green infrastructure in UK urban areas. During a 34C heatwave in London, an exposed bench recorded a scorching 43C, while a nearby shaded bench remained a cooler 26C. Studies show that tree shade can reduce surface temperatures by up to 12C on concrete and 9C on grass, offering a vital natural cooling solution.
Policy reforms are urgently required to facilitate urban greening. Kitty Thompson from the Create Streets Foundation called for a "greening-up revolution," urging the government to amend the Highways Act 1980. This legislation currently presents significant hurdles for councils and community groups aiming to plant more street trees. Experts emphasize that trees are one of the most effective tools for mitigating urban heat, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity.
Disparities in urban tree cover are stark across the UK. While some towns like Farnham, Surrey, boast 45% tree cover, others, such as Fleetwood in Lancashire, have as little as 3%. The average tree canopy across UK towns and cities stands at approximately 16%. Affluent neighborhoods typically possess more than double the tree cover of the poorest and most underserved areas, a gap that experts warn must be addressed to combat urban heat island effects effectively.
