Madrid going green or grey?

Welcome back to The Strawman, the daily climate newsletter that leaves no leaf unturned.

Today, we're journeying to Madrid, a city caught in a tug of war between trees and concrete, where politics is planting its roots deep into the climate debate.

For my next trick, I’ll make the trees disappear

Think of Madrid, and visions of flamenco dancers, tapas, and football may come to mind.

But there's another dance happening in the Spanish capital – one between trees and concrete. 

With record high temperatures, Madrid's cooling canopy is facing a major threat. According to city data, more than 78,000 mature trees have taken a bow since 2019, leaving the stage to ever-expanding concrete.

The environmentalists are crying timber, but are the city's rulers listening?

Climate Politics: The Left, The Right, and Madrid's Climate Future

In the red corner, leftwing politicians accuse Madrid's ruling conservatives of being climate change deniers, endangering Madrid's future with their tree-felling and park-paving antics.

In the blue corner, the conservatives argue they're juggling climate action with economic boom, bringing the bacon home to Madrid.

As local elections loom, the climate debate is heating up - and this is a debate we’re going to see replayed across multiple cities in the coming years.

The Heat is On: Urban Heat Islands and the Importance of Trees

Now, let's get sciency for a moment. You see, trees are nature's air conditioners. 

Through a process called transpiration, they suck up warm air and spit out cooler air. But without them, cities turn into 'urban heat islands', with concrete and asphalt retaining heat.

A study in The Lancet suggested that increasing tree cover in cities to 30% could help avoid 40% of deaths attributed to urban heat islands.

Madrid's tree cover? A mere 9%. So, as Madrid's temperatures rise, its need for trees has never been greater.

Madrid is at a crossroads. One path leads to a concrete jungle, the other to a leafy oasis. The decisions made now will shape the city's future.

Remember to hug a tree today, folks! Until next time, keep it green.