London mayor echoes Maathai: City needs to harvest rainwater, plant trees

LONDON — London, a city wrapped in the humidity of heatwaves and rainfall, is at risk for increased flooding as the globe warms, warns Mayor Boris Johnson. Not only flooding, he says, but also droughts. England has less water per capita than Morroco, reports Reuters.

In an attempt to ready England for the onslaught of unpredictable weather, the mayor encourages tree-planting in order to absorb rainfall and provide shade during heatwaves. According to 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, forests are the best harvesters of rainwater.

Mayor Johnson also encourages compulsory water monitoring, more efficient water consumption in homes, as well as urging the city to refurbish its byzantine drainage system. “London is not unique — all major cities such as New York and Tokyo are at risk from climate change. By producing this strategy, we put London in a position of strength,” Johnson said.

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Source: Reuters