Trees are the lungs of a city – Bangkok needs to get planting
Trees have major benefits. It is well known that lush vegetation brings down the temperature in cities by two or three degrees.
More significant, though, is the fact that trees clean the air. In one year each tree captures 1.4 kilos of dust and particles, including the dangerous PM 2.5 particles and the heavy metals which are attached to them.
Each tree captures 12,000 litres of water, which helps prevent flooding.
Trees consume CO2 and produce oxygen; half the oxygen we breathe comes from trees.
In Hyde Park London there are 3,174 trees and park staff have calculated that their environmental services are worth about Bt8 million (£200,000) per year. This includes savings on the “social damage” done by the pollution that the trees prevent.
Anthony Margetts
Bangkok
