In Milan, 3 million trees planted in the city to fight against global warming
An ambitious urban forestry project in Milan is attracting positive attention from all corners of the world. The creative and ambitious ForestaMi project aims to plant three million trees in the conurbation by 2030, i.e. one tree for each citizen.
A tree for each citizen. While the planting of trees in the city is essential everywhere in Europe to fight against global warming, the metropolis of Milan has realized an ambitious project. The ForestaMi project, the only one of its kind in Italy.
Stefano Boeri, President of the Scientific Committee of the ForestaMi Project, explains its origin: “_ForestaMi is a project, but also a dream, and a need, because we are talking about a strong increase in the number of trees, in particular trees with high trunk, in the Milan metropolitan area over the next few years._” His colleague, Maria Chiara Pastore, explains: “first, we have to imagine a cultural change: where there is asphalt, we think of thinking of green and permeable areas with grass and trees, areas where people can live. This is one of the objectives we are trying to achieve.“
The objective is to plant up to 3 million trees by 2030. It may seem very ambitious, but the ForestaMi project has started off on the right foot and has already planted more than 330,000 trees. But ForestaMi isn’t just about planting trees… It’s also about cleaning the air, consuming less energy and improving people’s quality of life.
For Stefano Boeri, planting trees in a large city can have a global impact: “planting trees is the most effective, inclusive, democratic – because it involves everyone – but also economical way to try to slow down the consequences of climate change. To plant trees in a city is to absorb carbon dioxide.“
Because large cities are responsible for up to 75% of the production of carbon dioxide in the world. Trees can absorb fine particles, which have an extremely negative effect on the quality of life of all who live in urban areas.
In 2017, Italy had the highest percentage of vehicles in Europe, with 62.4 cars per 100 inhabitants. A 2018 study by the World Health Organization found that Milan had the second highest level of air pollution among all European cities, after Turin.
According to the UN, cities will be home to 68% of the world’s population by 2050. Greening initiatives are therefore essential for the future of the majority of global humanity. Milan has now joined the growing number of cities creating urban forests for climate crisis mitigation and adaptation.
More than 3 million people live in the metropolitan area of Milan. By 2030, every citizen will therefore have a tree for themselves, which will provide cleaner air and a better quality of life, and thus contribute to the fight against climate change.