Tree Charity Manifesto Calls On Parties For Investment In Urban Future

April 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Environmental deprivation and lack of contact with nature is at the heart of many of the socio-economic problems faced by our deprived urban communities today, particularly the young.  In addition, it is well documented that the effects of climate change will disproportionately hit these communities because they haven’t the protection of adequate green cover and access to green areas.  

The urban tree planting charity Trees for Cities' 2010 manifesto is calling on political parties to make investment in urban spaces now to ameliorate problems of the future.

Canopy cover benefits cities by filtering the air and providing shade; a mature London plane tree with a branch spread of 10 metres can shade 78m2 of pavement. But there are often large disparities within a town or city’s canopy cover, with many of the most deprived areas lacking this protection.

Tree cover has also been shown to promote healthy lifestyles and lower crime levels by creating more welcoming streets, which encourage walking and cycling and discourage antisocial behaviour. The most deprived areas of our cities are lacking these crucially important amenities that could make a considerable difference to crime, vandalism and obesity levels.

The eight points of the manifesto are as follows:

•   Implement a new National Strategy for Urban Trees which aims to increase tree canopy cover in urban areas by at least 10% by 2050 and which prioritises the planting of new trees in deprived areas;

•   Provide statutory guidance to all Local Authorities with an urban remit to implement a robust Tree Strategy, which includes the 10% target, prioritises the planting of new trees in deprived areas and works with those communities to ensure they are the right trees in the right places;

•   Give every urban child the right to a childhood enriched by trees enabling them to grow in confidence and self esteem and create memories for their future through planning guidance that makes provision for natural play space within walking distance from their home;

•   Give every urban child the right to play under the canopy of a tree, protected from the dangers of excessive heat and sunshine through statutory guidance that all school playgrounds and playgroup outdoor play areas are covered by tree canopies;

•   Sponsor every urban household to reduce energy bills by up to 20% by planting a tree in the space outside their house either in the street, communal open space or their own garden as part of an energy use reduction campaign;

•   Give every urban dweller the opportunity to help adapt their local area to climate change through volunteer tree planting programmes as part of local climate change adaptation strategies;

•   Embed the socio-economic value of trees and tree planting across all social strategies, including health, crime, social cohesion, regeneration and education, backed up by cost-benefit analysis similar to that already being pioneered in the US and Australia.

•   Make street tree planting part of statutory guidance provided to Local Authorities to create healthier streets recognising the unique ability of trees to combat many of the health concerns faced by users of busy, exposed, polluted urban streets.


For more information, please visit treesforcities.org

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An independent charity which plants trees and landscapes public spaces in urban areas, to impact on global warming and beautify the urban landscape, encouraging greater social cohesion through the active participation of local people.