Worried about extreme heat in Europe? Practical nature-based actions to keep your cool next summer.
Extreme heat has taken the glamour out of European holidays this year. But what if planting trees could reduce the sweat and turn up the glamour? Here's some practical & cheap things we can all do for nature to reduce our heat exposure this summer.
There are many cheap and easy things you can do now to prepare yourself for extreme heat over summer.
Climate change and the sweltering heat wave has taken the glamour out of European holidays this year. Extreme heat across Italy, Greece and even Switzerland is posing health risks for people, shutting down tourist sites and radically changing holiday plans.
As temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves like these will become increasingly severe across the world.
But what if introducing more nature into our cities could radically turn down the sweat, and turn up the glamour?
Your backyard and the actions you take now will punch above their weight in fighting extreme heat. Here’s some evidence-based, cheap and practical actions you can take now to prepare for a future of extreme summers ahead.
Plant trees in your garden. What’s been notable about all the images of people sweating in crowded tourist locations in Europe? There’s not a tree in site. Intuitively we know that sitting under trees can make us feel cooler, and indeed trees can reduce peak summer temperatures by 1-5C.
To choose plants that are right for your property, the best place to start is to speak to your local plant nursery. Ask them about;
· The height, shape and shade potential of the plants at maturity, to make sure you’re maximising shade within the constraints of your property.
· Ask them about the growth rate, because we need shade soon.
· Place plants to block the really hot north and western sun during summer.
· Choose plant types that are resilient to drought and heat.
· Speak to your neighbours, because actions you can take on your property will often benefit their property too.
Pull up concrete and other hard surfaces and replace with permeable surfaces and plants. Concrete jungles are making our cities hot. Asphalt surfaces, paving and concrete absorb, store & emit heat, so cities don’t get a chance to cool down overnight. This phenomenon, known as the Urban Heat Island Effect, amplifies the intensity of heat waves and heat-related deaths.
Practically consider;
· Replacing excessive paving around your house, particularly in north and west-facing areas.
· Replace bare ground with plants, to retain soil moisture. Where that is not possible, try shading hard surfaces such as driveways with plants.
· Recharge the soil with moisture during rainfall – wetter soil heats up less than dry soil.
Grow vines on north and west facing walls. Vines punch above their weight when it comes to shade, but not all vines are created equal.
· Choose vines that retain their leaves from the ground up so they are covering all the surface. Some vines lose their leaves at the base as they shoot to the top of the fence.
· Make sure they have something to climb! Ask your nursery about what they need to hang on to.
Reduce bare ground through planting and mulching. Bare ground heats up and loses moisture, which makes it even easier to heat. Cover bare ground with drought tolerant plants to keep your family cooler.
Carefully place water features in your garden. Evapotranspiration can reduce air temperatures and provide water and a place to cool down for native animals too.
Flock to nature when the going gets tough. When it gets hot, we intuitively head to nature to protect us- the beach, rivers, the shade of an old tree. Let’s invest in natural places now, and keep them in good condition so we can all benefit from them during extreme heat.
If you live in a bushfire-prone area, seek advice on how to best start preparing now.
When it comes to extreme heat, nature makes us safer. Let's roll up our sleeves and put some woop! back into nature for a brighter future for everyone.
Woop Woop for Nature- helping you help nature.
