London scoping - ukcip

Final Report
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is because there would be less corporate investment in R&D internationally, because there
would be a slow-down in the availability of capital in global markets.
6.15 Green and Open Spaces
6.15.1 Context
The quality and availability of parks and open spaces in London is well known. Indeed, this
was mentioned as the least serious environmental problem in London in the MORI poll (2001),
with 25% of respondents considering this to be a problem, but 49% respondents not considering
this to a problem. On the other hand, when asked whether respondents considered London to be
a ‘green city’, 55% disagreed, with another 37% agreeing.
6.15.2 Flooding and Rainfall Intensity Impacts
If open and green spaces such as land alongside the Thames are, in future, increasingly regarded
as a potential flood water storage areas, then this multiple use of land would have implications
for existing users. Using land as flood plains could also have effects upon the biodiversity value
of such land (though these could be positive as well as negative). Access to parks and gardens
might also be restricted in order to protect habitats and species which are threatened by climate
change.
6.15.3 Wind Storm Impacts
Severe storms can have devastating effects upon trees. Richmond Park lost 10% of its trees in
the storms of 1987 and 1990, but was relatively less affected than areas further south. Small
stocks of veteran trees, as in Richmond Park, are especially vulnerable to extreme storms
(Richards, pers.com.).
6.15.4 Temperature Change Impacts
As noted above (under housing) there would probably be greater demands put upon green and
open spaces due to climate change. Any new development might need to ensure that there is
explicit inclusion of open spaces. More localised open spaces are probably desirable, not just
the large parks. Increased fire hazard would accompany hotter drier weather (especially hot dry
springs and early summers). Such events are known, in many cases, to be caused deliberately
by humans. Hence, not only are measures to detect fires more rapidly important, but also
educational campaigns to dissuade those who might think of starting fires. Clearly, fires would
have negative impacts for biodiversity, for access and for the amenity value of open-spaces, and
adversely affect air pollution (as witnessed dramatically in Sydney in 2001). To deal with fires
involves use of large amounts of water and this would add a further strain upon water resources,
especially in hot dry conditions when fires are most likely.
The types of trees and other plants which will grow successfully will likely change in the future
because of climate change. Already, the Royal Parks are observing that trees such as beech are
not doing as well as they once were, though this may also be due to damage by grey squirrels
(Richards, pers.com.). The London Plane tree (Platanus acerifolia) is probably rather better
adapted to climate change, being a hybrid of the oriental and western plane, which grow in
hotter climates, e.g. Mediterranean. The appearance of the Plane is quite different from the