The importance of green spaces inside urban areas.

The Waxwing

July 17th, 2023

Photo by Carl Newton

In the last week a strong discussion has been generated on social networks; the discontent of the citizens, accompanied by the opinion of experts in the field of biology, has forced Governor of Nuevo León Mexico, Samuel García to stop the indiscriminate activities of clearing vegetation of the Santa Catarina River, and although derived from social criticism, the clearing of the River has been stopped, the damage to the green areas affected has already been done, it is from what happened that some questions become interesting: Why is it important to protect green areas within urban areas? What are the benefits? And what are the consequences of reducing natural areas in cities?

The creation of cities and urbanization have destroyed large patches of native vegetation, modified the terrain and bodies of water, and displaced native animal species from the affected areas. This leads to the destruction of natural habitats and consequently a decline in biodiversity. Rivers, ecological parks, and wooded areas within cities are the last vestiges of what once were vast expanses of virgin nature.

To exemplify, according to a study published in 2020 by the University Transdisciplinary Center for Sustainability, in the last 8 years Mexico City has lost 18.2 square kilometers of green areas, this means that green areas now represent less than 16.3% of the 610.5 square kilometers that make up the capital of our country. This reduction of green areas within cities is not a phenomenon unique to large cities such as Mexico City, but in practically all urban spaces in the country and the world, bringing with it an infinity of ecological problems but also public health.

As the cities keep growing, deforestation of natural areas increase and the emission of greenhouse gases escalate, the planet is in a worrying situation; the general temperature of the earth is increasing in an exacerbated way, green areas play a fundamental role in controlling the temperatures of the cities. It is the trees and vegetation that filter carbon dioxide while maintaining cleaner air. Let us remember that pollution in cities is the cause of more than 4 million deaths worldwide per year. Native vegetation also helps to capture water in underground aquifers; the trees and their roots maintain a soil capable of absorbing and preserving water and humidity. As if this were not enough, green patches in cities help lower average temperatures within cities, since trees and vegetation in general absorb solar radiation and release water vapor through a process called transpiration, cooling our cities and reducing the damage we currently suffer from strong heat waves and water scarcity that has become a serious problem, mainly in the northern region of our country. But these are not the only benefits, access to natural areas within cities also contributes to the population´s physical and mental health, reducing stress and increasing happiness.

It is essential that the urbanization and growth of cities proceed under strict regulations that prioritize environmental care.

#nature #greenspaces #cities #urban #climatechange