Greening townships key to surviving rising heat

In the light of the rising temperatures across the Garden Route region, serious consideration should be given to greening townships, schools and crèches where people have little protection from the blazing sun, according to Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (Gref).

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He issued the following statement on behalf of the Garden Route District Municipality:

Shade provided by trees can bring much-needed relief, and greening projects should become a budgeted priority for municipalities as part of long-term climate change adaptation and planning.

In many communities there is little escape from extreme heat, particularly for children and the elderly, making urban greening an important public health intervention.

Heatwaves and extremely hot, dry conditions are currently affecting communities across the Garden Route interior.