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🇧🇪 Belgium /Disasters & Emergencies

Belgium city launches tree plan after deadly heatwave

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Sint-Truiden, Belgium, is launching a large-scale tree-planting initiative in response to a significant number of heat-related deaths during June's heatwave.
  • During the heatwave, temperatures in the city center reached 42 degrees Celsius, while a nearby wooded area remained at 25 degrees, highlighting the cooling effect of trees.
  • The plan includes planting 100 new trees by year-end, focusing on the city center and villages, and aims to involve residents and businesses in the greening effort.

Sint-Truiden is initiating a comprehensive tree-planting program to combat the extreme heat that led to a surge in fatalities during June. The city recorded 48 deaths during the heatwave, an 85% increase compared to the previous year, prompting officials to take action.

The only difference was the heat this year.

— Gert StasAlderman for the living environment, explaining the cause of increased deaths during the June heatwave.

"The only difference was the heat this year," stated Gert Stas, alderman for the living environment. He highlighted a stark temperature difference recorded on June 24: the city's main square registered 42 degrees Celsius, while the wooded Nieuwenhoven domain was a cooler 25 degrees. "You can see that forests and trees with large crowns can offer a real structural solution for heatwaves."

You can see that forests and trees with large crowns can offer a real structural solution for heatwaves.

— Gert StasHighlighting the cooling effect of trees based on temperature readings during the heatwave.

The city's plan involves planting 100 new trees by the end of the year, prioritizing the city center and village cores. This effort aims to replace trees lost in recent years and establish "centennial trees" in each village – trees capable of growing large and remaining for a long time, providing significant cooling benefits.

All students must go through a skills course where they come into contact with real crafts like carpentry, plumbing, IT, or healthcare support. They will go through the theoretical part, but also get out and try it in reality.

— Ulrik LarsenPrincipal of the new Arena X boarding school, describing the vocational training program.

Beyond planting, Sint-Truiden intends to foster a deeper connection between residents and nature. The city plans to involve citizens in planting and maintaining trees, raising awareness about their importance. They will also collaborate with neighborhood committees and explore partnerships with businesses interested in adopting trees, further integrating green spaces into the urban fabric.

We will try to involve citizens in planting and maintaining the trees and also make them aware of the importance of trees in the garden.

— Gert StasDescribing the plan to engage the public in the tree-planting initiative.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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