Major Cities in Around the World Sign Declaration Investing in Greener Spaces

 

In aims to fight the effects of climate change, 31 major cities have signed a declaration to invest in green spaces.

Mayors from cities like Milan, Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, and Barcelona signed up to the C40 cities network goal of having 30-40 percent of built-up city surface consisting of green spaces such as parks, or streets lined with trees.

Milan has already set up its goal to plant three million trees by 2030. Barcelona will offer to subsidize 75 percent of the cost of new green rooftops, creating urban allotments and space for renewable energies.

“In Milan, we are committed to plant three million trees by 2030, to use nature-based solutions to increase resilience and protect citizens from the climate crisis, to refresh our neighborhoods with green areas and water, and to regenerate the urban environment in a sustainable manner,” said Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan.

Overall, cities that have signed up to the declaration are the following: Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Curitiba, Durban, Freetown, Guadalajara, Haifa, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Medellín, Milan, Mumbai, New Orleans, Paris, Quezon City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Rotterdam, Salvador, Seattle, Stockholm, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and Toronto.

According to a scientific study from Toronto published in the journal Nature, greener spaces can improve wellbeing, mentally and physically. It also states “having 10 more trees in a city block, on average, improves perception in ways comparable to an increase in annual personal income of $10,000.”

Recommended Posts