The Bristol tree-planting scheme set to lower temperatures in the city
We find out how planting trees can mitigate the impacts of climate change
As Bristol continues to bake in the fourth heatwave of the summer, a national tree-planting charity is joining the city council to make urban spaces greener and cooler.
A report from Cambridge University found trees can lower air temperatures by up to 12 degrees for pedestrians.
In a bid to mitigate the impact of climate change, the council is building hundreds of thousands of trees in the city and planning to double the canopy coverage by 2046.
"Materials like concrete and asphalt absorb the sun's rays and pump that heat back out," explains Lizzie Pace, from Trees for Streets.
"Trees block those rays from hitting the ground and it means that those hot surfaces become lower in temperature."
Trees for Streets work with local authorities like Bristol City Council by running sponsorship schemes, giving residents the opportunity to make a donation for a tree to go somewhere in their neighbourhood.
"It's important to be futureproofing and to be thinking about our cities in 10, 20, 30 and 40 years time, making sure we have green, tree-lined cities for the future," Lizzie added.
"Populations in cities are increasing and not everyone has access to a garden. Even being able to have a cooler, more inviting nature-friendly street is a benefit."