https://newatlas.com/environment/surrey-cooling-effects-green-spaces-waterways/ * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE * LOG IN * HOME * LIFESTYLE + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories * SCIENCE + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories * TECHNOLOGY + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories * TRANSPORT + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories (c) 2024 New Atlas New Atlas logo Menu * HOME * LIFESTYLE + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories * SCIENCE + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories * TECHNOLOGY + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories * TRANSPORT + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE * LOG IN Show Search [ ]Search Query Submit Search Environment Botanical gardens can cool city air by an average of 5 degC By Paul Ridden February 26, 2024 * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn Inline image / # Botanical gardens can cool city air by an average of 5 degC As climate change warms the planet, planning to include urban infrastructure like botanical gardens, parks, street trees, green walls and wetlands could help cool city air As climate change warms the planet, planning to include urban infrastructure like botanical gardens, parks, street trees, green walls and wetlands could help cool city air Depositphotos View 3 Images 1/3 As climate change warms the planet, planning to include urban infrastructure like botanical gardens, parks, street trees, green walls and wetlands could help cool city air Depositphotos 2/3 The potential cooling effects of GBGI infrastructure across 10 categories selected in the study Prashant Kumar et al 3/3 Table showing the cooling effects of several green spaces and waterways University of Surrey [icon-mouse-sc] View gallery - 3 images Temperatures around the world are on the rise, with 2023 recently confirmed as the hottest since records began. A new study has found that bringing nature into cities could help lower temperatures during heatwaves. If you're lucky enough to live near forested areas, you'll know that one of the best ways to escape the mid-day heat while out rambling is to head for tree cover. Living in a concrete jungle might present fewer options than being out in the sticks, but even a visit to a local park or botanical garden could help you keep your cool. In fact, research led by the University of Surrey in the UK has found that botanical gardens can lower the temperature of inner city air by as much as 5 degC. Wetlands and rain gardens are not far behind in the cooling stakes, at 4.7 and 4.5 degC respectively, trees planted along streets also lowered air temps by 3.8 degC while city parks managed 3.2 degC. The potential cooling effects of GBGI infrastructure across 10 categories selected in the study Prashant Kumar et al "We have known for some time that green spaces and water can cool cities down," said Professor Prashant Kumar, founding director of the Global Center for Clean Air Research at the University of Surrey, as well as professor and chair in Air Quality and Health, and co-director at the Institute for Sustainability. "However, this study provides us the most comprehensive picture yet. What's more - we can explain why. From trees providing shade, to evaporating water cooling the air." The paper notes that an air temperature of 40.3 degC (104.5 degF) broke records in the UK on July 19, 2022, some 62,862 deaths were linked to summer heat across Europe in the same year while the 2003 heatwave in Europe led to an economic loss of EUR16 billion thanks to drought and crop failures. The team of 29 scientists from the UK, Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong and the US also says that the IPCC reckons that "green and blue urban infrastructure elements are particularly effective in reducing air temperatures in cities." From a pool of more than 27,000 research papers, the researchers selected 202 for meta-analysis based on a number of urban green-blue-grey infrastructure categories - including parks, engineered greening projects, wetlands, green walls, parks and botanical gardens. Trees and plants, for example, help reduce heat by reducing the amount of direct sunlight reaching the ground, while also releasing moisture into the air. Water bodies cool the surrounding environment via "evapotranspiration, shading, the albedo effect, groundwater recharge and temperature buffering" and could also serve as heatsinks, cooling during daylight hours and offering warming potential at night. Green roofs and walls not only help insulate buildings, but also reduce heat absorption, and vegetation can serve as windbreaks for natural ventilation. Table showing the cooling effects of several green spaces and waterways University of Surrey We've already seen a number of architecture projects around the world employ large amounts of greenery to both enliven facades and promote local cooling, along with beneficial landscaping. The researchers conclude by stating that "all urban green-blue-grey infrastructure types provide cooling benefits" and that "nature needs to be brought back into densifying and expanding cities and any opportunity to expand plant cover on the ground, podiums, wall and roofs must be taken." But they also recognize that there isn't one simple solution to suit every locale, and much will depend on effective planning - "before selecting suitable urban green-blue-grey infrastructure interventions, it is necessary to assess the local context, environmental conditions, available resources and the budget to ensure their long-term effectiveness and avoid possible drawbacks." "Our paper confirms just how many ways there are to keep cool," added Professor Maria de Fatima Andrade of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. "But it also reveals how much work is left to do. Institutions around the world need to invest in the right research - because what's very clear from our study is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on what works for your community." The study is open access via the journal The Innovation. Source: University of Surrey View gallery - 3 images Tags EnvironmentClimate Crisissustainable designCoolingGreen RoofsGreen WallsGarden * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn 3 comments Paul Ridden Paul Ridden While Paul is loath to reveal his age, he will admit to cutting his IT teeth on a TRS-80 (although he won't say which version). An obsessive fascination with computer technology blossomed from hobby into career before hopping over to France for 10 years, where he started work for New Atlas in 2009. Now back in his native Blighty, he serves as Managing Editor in Europe. Most Viewed * This list of the highest prices ever paid for a Kawasaki two-stroke three-cylinder road bike at auction has the bikes sold since 1 January 2023 in red. The top eight prices in red were all paid by the same internet bidder at Mecum's Las Vegas auction held 24-27 January 2024. Motorcycles Who is buying all the Kawasaki Mach IV Widowmakers? * NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter finds Odysseus Space The Odysseus lunar mission ends following human error on Earth * The Line will take the form of a mirrored rectangular building stretching 170 km (105 miles) long in the Saudi Arabian desert Architecture Video reveals progress of 170-km-long skyscraper through Saudi desert Load More 3 comments Sign in to post a comment. Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published. Nelson February 26, 2024 10:48 AM And where are these gardens going to be located when there always needs to be more and more room for more and more people? EvA February 26, 2024 05:12 PM if climate change is going to play out as some people say it will a city garden is not going to be enough .... I experienced something that i have never have experienced before called a "val wind" / "dropping wind" , devastating force ! the only thing i can think of is nuclear maybe geothermal energy , if only the nuclear waste half time could be reduced... i David F February 27, 2024 03:39 AM The record temperatures having been recorded in urban or suburban areas. Does it make sense to measure temperature within a heat island for the purpose of climate research. Saving comment... [ ] Post New Atlas logo GET OUR NEWSLETTER Over 220,000 people receive our email newsletter. Get your daily dose of extraordinary ideas! 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