London might want to urgently turn into a ‘sponge city’ – a metropolis higher designed to soak up and maintain rainwater – to be able to beat back the destructive impacts of the local weather emergency, the organisers of London Rivers Week have urged.
The local weather emergency has elevated the frequency and depth of maximum climate occasions and governments, companies and communities should shield London’s rivers to ensure that them to be higher ready to sort out the impacts of droughts and floods introduced on by the local weather disaster.
The organisers* of the London Rivers Week pageant, which takes place this Saturday 22nd June to Sunday 30th June, are urging policymakers, water firms, companies, business, environmental charities and the general public to work collectively on making town ‘sponge like’. The pageant celebrates London’s rivers and has a packed programme of walks, talks and on-line seminars for everybody to become involved in.
Environmental charity Thames21, one of many lead coordinators of London Rivers Week, is already working with companions and volunteers to make London a sponge metropolis. It has created wetlands, planted timber and supported sustainable drainage methods throughout London to assist enhance biodiversity and seize rainwater to scale back flood dangers.
For example, its ‘Rewilding the Rom’ mission in Dagenham has seen the event of a wetland that linked the River Rom to its floodplain and turned this river right into a wholesome surroundings for wildlife.
Chris Coode, CEO at Thames21, stated: “London has misplaced lots of its inexperienced areas to city growth and we urgently want extra nature-based options equivalent to wetlands to assist sort out the influence of the local weather emergency. Wetlands take up extra rainfall, decelerate water movement to rivers and scale back the chance of flooding to properties.
“These inexperienced areas are important for managing floor water and creating environments the place water is of course managed.
“Spending time by the river has proven benefits for people’s health and well-being. This is a key theme of this year’s London Rivers Week, now in its eight year. By transforming London into a sponge city we enhance our rivers’ resilience to climate change and ensure that we can all benefit from our precious rivers.”
Anna Taylor, director at CPRE London, added: “We are keen to highlight the urgent need for more rain gardens across the capital to reduce road-run off, ease the pressure on storm water drains, and help to reduce the risk of sewage overflow into our rivers. There is an absolutely urgent need for action in this area! Sustainable urban drainage assessments should be bog standard when roadworks and streetscapes are being updated.”
Joe Pecorelli, ZSL’s Freshwater Conservation Programme Supervisor, stated: “Protecting spaces for nature in London doesn’t just make the city a more enjoyable space – it’s key to creating a better, more sustainable future for everyone living here. From decision-makers to the general public, we need everyone to be involved in building a more resilient London, and attending walks and talks, or even donning a pair of waders to get stuck in with a clean-up, is a great place for people to get started.”
