Green spaces ‘integral’ to battle against global warming

A government minister has said that green spaces must be placed at ‘the heart’ of the UK’s fight against climate change.

Margaret Beckett, minister for housing and planning, said parks and playgrounds must become an ‘integral’ part of planning and architecture if global warming is to be averted.

The “bits between the buildings are as important as the buildings themselves,” Ms Beckett told delegates at the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and Natural England ParkCity conference last week.

“Green and open spaces are essential to creating places which both respond to and help mitigate the effects of climate change,” Ms Beckett said.

“They provide a haven for wildlife, and a corridor to support migration.

“They help prevent flooding and reduce carbon emissions.”

The former environment minister added that the economic downturn must not halt investment in green spaces.

“Despite all the clear benefits we can identify to the community, health and the economy, green infrastructure can be all too easily dismissed,” she said.

“As times get tough, it is easy to undo all the good work of the past few years. I’m determined we must not return to that way of thinking.

“It is too short-sighted.”

She went on to cite a Manchester University study which shows that city temperatures could increase more than 8 degrees over the next 70 years if green spaces are reduced.

She also acknowledged that green spaces are vital for building healthy communities and individuals.

“Our parks and playgrounds help us meet our neighbours, raise our children, feel a sense of belonging.

She explained that green spaces are “an integral part of the neighbourhood,” and that when they are built, “we all feel the difference instinctively.”