28 Jan 2026
Green space and space with water like rivers and lakes (blue space) is not only essential for our health, it's also important for nature. And nature is under threat from pollution, climate change and developments.
You can find out what access to green space and percentage of tree-cover your neighbourhoods have using our data tool.
Who doesn't have access to green space?
Around 10 million people live in areas deprived of green space, with people of colour twice as likely as white people to miss out on the physical and mental health benefits.
How can local authorities protect green space?
Councils can work with communities to plant more trees, including street trees, and can protect those that already exist.
While it may be difficult to create new green and blue spaces, apart from in new developments, they can ensure existing spaces are well maintained, attractive for people and nature, and safe, including by addressing fly-tipping, litter and graffiti.
How can the government protect people from climate extremes?
The government needs to produce a credible national climate change adaptation plan to protect people and nature from climate extremes. This must include help for local authorities to improve green and blue spaces. It's an investment which will reduce costs to the NHS as well as improve lives.
Who should pay for damage caused by climate change?
Climate change, including more extreme heat, is caused mostly by burning fossil fuels. The oil and gas companies have made massive profits from selling these. Water companies have also made massive profits, while their under-investment in sewerage and drainage has harmed nature and increased flood risks. It’s time to make the polluters pay for the adaptations we need to make as the planet heats up.
How can you spot climate disinformation?
Some insurance companies and councils blame street trees for subsidence whereas most often it is extremes in drought or wet weather to blame.
Trees help protect our cities against these extremes.
Some claim improving river health is too costly. But lack of investment by water companies has caused widespread pollution, restoring rivers reduces future flood risk as well as helping nature to bounce back.
Your voice matters
During elections politicians make more of an effort to listen. Tell them you care about climate change. Tell them you want action to improve green and blue spaces where you live and want to see more tree planting. Tell them that polluters must be made to pay, not ordinary people. Ask them to sign-up to Friends of the Earth’s Charter for Climate Hope.