‘It will be beautiful to see our kids grow up with this': how communities around the world are planting trees
In 2023, Chloe began chatting to her neighbours in Haringey, north London, about trees. 'I thought it'd be really nice to raise some money for trees on the main road. Everyone uses West Green Road, regardless of whether you have a lot of money or not, regardless of your background.'
After getting in touch with Trees for Streets, a sponsorship scheme that guides communities across England on how to plant trees in their local areas with support from local councils, a small group was formed to work out how to do it. As a first step, Straw and friends were provided with an interactive map to choose the location of the trees, and that was passed along to Haringey council.
Then they got help to set up a crowdfunding campaign, which was shared in local WhatsApp groups and community forums, secured 168 backers and raised more than £6,000 in one month.
Mohamed al-Jawhari, a co-chair of Haringey Living Streets, said: 'It [WhatsApp] is a very powerful tool for getting a very simple message out very quickly to a lot of people. I got in contact with, like, a thousand people in a few minutes, because I forwarded on the message with a bit of an explanation to a local group here, a local group there, people who were interested in the environment and maybe wanted to help West Green.'
The remaining costs were covered by Haringey council. The result? Twenty beautiful trees planted across the neighbourhood.
The plan is as local as it gets, but it is also global. Around the world, city residents are working out how to fill their streets with trees as evidence grows of their benefits. As temperatures rise, research has shown that urban trees can play a fundamental role in keeping cities cool, evaporating water to provide a natural form of air-conditioning, cooling air temperatures and reducing the urban heat island effect. Work by Friends of the Earth in five English cities in 2023 showed that areas with more trees and greenery were up to 5C cooler.
Cities and countriies are applying all kinds of models. Some councils and governments plant the trees using public money. In 2021, for example, the Canadian government launched the 2 Billion Trees programme, providing financial support to provinces, organisations and Indigenous governments to plant trees over a period of 10 years.
But public funds are stretched everywhere, and the community model followed by Trees for Streets empowers local people to take their own action without waiting for a government plan.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is a non-profit organisation in Philadelphia that trains individuals to lead community groups to plant trees across the US city. So far their programme, Tree Tenders, has trained more than 6,500 people, who have led volunteers in planting more than 3,000 trees each year.
Andrew Conboy, an urban forester in Philadelphia whose work involves managing, maintaining and replanting street and park trees in the city, said: 'Most of the tree planting in Philadelphia is done through PHS. They do really great work all around the city and also in the suburbs surrounding the city. So many groups surrounding the cities are Tree Tenders groups.'
He added: 'There's a heavy emphasis on native species here in the Philadelphia area, which is good thing because the native species are ultimately better for our wildlife and for our ecosystems, because those are the species that evolved here, and our wildlife need those species.'
The Garden City Fund, a charity in Singapore, runs a similar initiative, the Plant-a-Tree programme. Individuals and organisations can donate to the cost of a young tree and then plant it in one of their managed green spaces.
Tree People, an environmental advocacy organisation, runs a forestry programme that supports communities to plant and care for trees in cities in southern California. The organisation also runs the School Greening programme, which provides training to parents, students, teachers and district leaders to plant and maintain trees in schools. Since the organisation was founded in 1973, it has worked with 3 million volunteers to plant more than 3m trees, included 30,000 trees on school campuses.
As the West Green residents take turns discussing their local initiative over cups of coffee, it's clear that one of the most significant impacts the project has had is in strengthening connections within the community.
Nick Owen, the owner of the local cafe Perkyn's on West Green Road, who contributed to the crowdfunder, said: 'It's lovely having the trees here now but it also feels a bit like a legacy. In five or 10 years when these trees are getting bigger and fuller, it'll be beautiful to see our kids growing up with that as well and knowing that we contributed to it.'
Dan Snell, an urban forest officer at Haringey council who surveyed the location for the trees in West Green and works with communities on tree-planting initiatives across the borough, said: 'We have people who are enthusiastic about the long-term health of the trees and we want it to be something they can take ownership of, I suppose, like an extension of their home, something that's in the public realm but is also looked after by the community.
'There was another tree scheme on my mum's street who lives in Haringey … suddenly there were all these new street trees and my mum had met a load of neighbours that she hadn't really met before, even though she's been there for 30 years. It's had this really lovely long-term effect on bringing the street together. It's such a wonderful thing to connect over.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
What Makes Someone Cool? A New Study Offers Clues.
The study, published Monday in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, surveyed nearly 6,000 participants from 12 countries around the world. Their beliefs about what's 'cool' were similar regardless of where the study participants lived, and despite differences in age, income level, education, or gender. 'What blew my mind was the fact that it was pretty much the same result everywhere,' said Caleb Warren, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona who has researched consumer psychology for two decades. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In the study, each participant had to recognize the word 'cool' in English, without translation, suggesting that they were already familiar with — or maybe even idolized — notions of coolness from wealthy Western countries like the United States. Advertisement In that sense, the study offers a window into the spread of cultural beliefs from one group of people to another, said Joseph Henrich, an anthropologist and a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University who was not involved in the study. 'Globally, American success has led to the diffusion of music styles and an immense amount of cultural content, including, apparently, the concept of cool,' Henrich said. Advertisement Coolness is not a widely studied subject. Past research has found that coolness is usually considered something positive: People who are cool are also friendly, competent, trendy, and attractive. But Warren and his colleagues wanted to know what makes a person distinctly 'cool' rather than just 'good.' So the researchers asked the participants to think of specific people: one who is cool, one who is not cool, one who is good, and one who is not good. Then they asked the participants to evaluate each person by answering questionnaires that collectively measured 15 different attributes. While the cool and good people had overlapping traits, compared with their cool counterparts, good people were perceived as more conforming, traditional, secure, warm, agreeable, universalistic (the extent to which a person sees everyone and everything as being equal or equally worthy of care and respect), conscientious, and calm. Those who were perceived as capable were equally considered cool and good. One limitation of the study was that anyone who did not know the word 'cool' was automatically filtered out. As a result, the data cannot determine how frequently the word is used in different countries or, whether in certain cultures, coolness will lead to a higher social status relative to others. In addition, while the study included participants with a wide range of ages, the population skewed young: The average age from each region was generally 30 or younger. Other studies have shown that there are important cultural differences that can affect the traits that we value. 'Factors like aggression make us have higher status in some Western cultures and simultaneously give us less status in the East,' said Mitch Prinstein, the chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association, who has written two books about popularity, which can be a consequence of coolness. Advertisement Research on coolness suggests that the desire to be cool is particularly strong during adolescence, and it influences not only what people buy or whom they admire, but also how they talk and what they do for fun. But what's considered cool by the broader culture might not be the same as what you personally believe is cool. This is why Warren and his colleagues asked each participant to think about the people they considered cool vs. good. Interestingly, across the board, the types of traits that are typically associated with kindness or helpfulness were more often perceived as good instead of cool. So is coolness a trait that's worth pursuing? To that end, Warren said, 'I have serious doubts.' Coolness that involves risk-taking and being socially precocious during adolescence may offer popularity during youth, but one study published in 2014 found that many teenagers who behaved in this way would later struggle in their 20s, developing problems with alcohol, drugs, and relationships. 'They are doing more extreme things to try to act cool,' one of the researchers told The New York Times. For the popular kids in school, 'status is dominance, visibility, attention,' Prinstein said. But, he added, it is how well-liked you are that contributes to long-term success. 'Even the most uncool kid will probably fare well if they have at least one close friend,' he added. Perhaps coolness -- particularly the dismissive 'too cool for school' variety -- isn't all it's cracked up to be. This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Don't Say These Things in Conversation—They Make You Look Classless
Navigating the subtleties of conversation is an art form that can elevate your social prowess—or sink it. It's not just about what you say, but also how you say it. Words hold power, and certain phrases can inadvertently paint you as out of touch or even tactless. Ready to course-correct your conversational toolkit? Here are 13 things you should promptly banish from your dialogue to maintain your savvy, sophisticated edge. This phrase often follows a pointed critique or unsolicited opinion, acting as a verbal shrug to imply you're merely making an observation. Yet, the truth is, it often leaves the recipient feeling belittled or patronized. According to linguistics expert Dr. Deborah Tannen, this kind of linguistic hedging shifts the conversational responsibility away from the speaker, diminishing genuine communication and creating unnecessary barriers. So next time, let your words stand on their own without the cloak of a passive disclaimer. Think about it: when you append "I'm just saying" to your comment, you're essentially insulating yourself from the impact of your words. It's like trying to have your cake and eat it too—wanting to express an opinion without facing any pushback. Rather than cushioning your statements with this verbal padding, aim for clear, direct communication. It's far more respectful and empowering for both parties involved. Uttering "no offense" is usually a precursor to something undoubtedly offensive, and everyone knows it. It's the conversational equivalent of donning a Teflon coat—nothing sticks to you, but everything else gets messy. Your intention might be to soften the blow, but in reality, you're just signaling that what follows is likely going to sting. The phrase doesn't offer protection; instead, it underlines your awareness that you're crossing a line. By acknowledging the potential for offense, you essentially admit you're about to be rude or insensitive. It's a verbal sleight of hand that rarely fools anyone. If you genuinely wish to avoid causing offense, reconsider the content of your message or find a more diplomatic way to convey it. Direct communication without faux apologies is far more effective in preserving the integrity of your interactions. Dismissing someone with "that's not my problem" not only sounds dismissive but also reveals a lack of empathy. It's a statement that screams self-absorption, showing zero willingness to engage with or support others' challenges. Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor renowned for her work on vulnerability and empathy, emphasizes that true connection stems from understanding and shared experience, not detachment. So, when you refuse to acknowledge another's struggle, you effectively close the door on meaningful engagement. When you choose to declare that something isn't your problem, you might also be missing out on an opportunity to grow or learn. Even if the issue at hand doesn't directly involve you, offering a listening ear or some advice could be incredibly valuable. Instead of shutting down a potentially enriching exchange, try responding with a question or a supportive comment. This shift can redefine your interactions from cold dismissal to open-hearted dialogue. Labeling someone as overreacting is rarely, if ever, well-received. It's dismissive and invalidates the other person's feelings, making them feel alienated and misunderstood. Even if their emotions seem disproportionate to the situation, there's often more beneath the surface that you may not be privy to. By saying they're overreacting, you shut down any chance of understanding what they're truly experiencing. Instead of jumping to conclusions about someone's emotional state, take a moment to inquire further. Ask questions, show empathy, and offer your perspective without demeaning theirs. This approach not only enriches your understanding but also strengthens the relationship. Respecting someone else's emotional reality opens the door to more genuine, meaningful conversations. When you tell someone "you always do this," you're cornering them into a defensive position. It's a generalization that oversimplifies complex behaviors and ignores any nuance in their actions. Psychologist Dr. John Gottman, well-known for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction, highlights that such sweeping statements are often a precursor to contempt, one of the key predictors of relationship failure. An absolute like "always" or "never" leaves little room for constructive dialogue or growth. Rather than resorting to absolutes, aim to be specific about what bothers you. Isolate the incident and discuss it in isolation, rather than allowing it to represent the entirety of the person's character. This way, your conversation becomes about finding solutions and understanding rather than assigning blame. Focusing on particular instances can help maintain a healthier and more productive discourse. The phrase "must be nice" might seem innocuous, but it cloaks deep-seated resentment or envy. It's a passive-aggressive way of acknowledging someone else's good fortune while simultaneously belittling it. This phrase only serves to create distance and tension between you and the person it's directed towards. Whether intentional or not, it suggests you feel slighted by their success or happiness. Instead of harboring resentment, consider engaging with genuine curiosity about what you admire or envy. Ask questions, express interest, and see what you can learn or gain from their situation. This approach transforms envy into inspiration, enriching your own experiences and interactions. By doing so, you'll foster more positive relationships and open yourself to growth and new possibilities. The declaration that you're "too busy" can come across as dismissive or self-important, even if you genuinely are overwhelmed. While it's undoubtedly true that people lead hectic lives, constantly claiming you're too busy implies that your time is more valuable than that of others. A study by Harvard Business School highlights that people often associate busyness with status, yet this perception can isolate you from meaningful connections and opportunities. Instead of using busyness as a shield, try to be more transparent about your availability and prioritize accordingly. When someone asks for your time or attention, consider how you respond. If you're unable to meet a request, explain your situation in a way that shows understanding and appreciation for their ask. Offer an alternative time or suggest another way to engage, demonstrating that you value the relationship. It's all about balance—being honest about your constraints without dismissing the importance of others' needs. Instructing someone to "calm down" is more likely to inflame emotions than to soothe them. It's dismissive, turning the focus away from understanding the root cause of their distress and onto their reaction. The phrase implies that their feelings are unfounded or exaggerated, shutting down any possibility of real communication. Rather than placating someone with "calm down," seek to understand the emotions they're experiencing. Start by asking questions and showing genuine concern for their perspective. Validate their feelings, even if you don't agree, and offer support in navigating whatever's causing their distress. This approach not only defuses tension but also strengthens the bond between you, paving the way for more constructive dialogue. In doing so, you're fostering an environment where real communication and understanding can thrive. Stating "I don't care" can place a hard stop on any constructive conversation. It conveys an unwillingness to engage, learn, or understand, creating a barrier to effective communication. Even if the topic isn't of interest to you, outright dismissing it can offend or alienate the person speaking. If you truly don't care about the subject, find a more considerate way to redirect the conversation. By adopting a more empathetic approach, you acknowledge the importance of the other person's interests without feigning enthusiasm. Offer an alternative topic, or express what you do find intriguing about the conversation. This not only keeps the dialogue flowing but also respects the person you're talking to. Communication thrives on mutual respect, and a simple shift in language can make all the difference. When you ask someone why they're single, it implies that being coupled is the norm and that something must be amiss if they're not. It's an invasive question that can put the person on the defensive, making them feel judged or inadequate. Their relationship status isn't a problem to be solved or a mystery to be unraveled. Instead, focus on learning about them as an individual rather than making assumptions based on their romantic life. If you're genuinely interested in their personal life, there are more considerate ways to engage. Ask about their interests, passions, or what they enjoy doing with their time. This approach respects their autonomy and showcases your genuine interest in who they are. It opens the door to richer, more meaningful conversations that go beyond societal expectations. Telling someone they look tired is often perceived as a critique rather than a concern. It highlights a potential flaw in their appearance without offering any real support or empathy. While you might mean well, the recipient may interpret it as an implication that they're not presenting their best self. Instead of pointing out their exhaustion, consider showing care through more supportive phrases. Inquiring about their well-being or offering assistance can be far more effective. A simple "How are you feeling today?" or "Is there anything I can do to help?" demonstrates genuine concern without focusing on physical appearance. This shift not only shows empathy but also reinforces a supportive connection. It's a small change in language that can transform how the other person feels. A flippant "good luck with that" can come across as dismissive or sarcastic, negating any intended encouragement. It's often interpreted as skepticism about the person's ability to succeed or achieve their goals. What might seem like a harmless comment can actually undermine someone's confidence or efforts. Instead of resorting to this dismissive phrase, consider offering genuine support or encouragement. Expressing sincere belief in their abilities or offering specific help shows that you're invested in their success. Replace "good luck with that" with "I believe in you" or "Let me know how I can assist." This change not only builds their confidence but also strengthens your relationship. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in both personal and professional interactions. The urge to say "I told you so" is often rooted in a need to assert one's correctness, but it rarely helps a situation. It adds a layer of smugness to a conversation, which can feel demeaning to the person who made the mistake. Instead of fostering understanding or growth, it leaves the other party resentful and less inclined to share future challenges. Rather than capitalizing on someone's misstep, focus on constructive dialogue that can lead to improvement. When someone comes to you, having realized their error, your reaction can either build them up or tear them down. Instead of emphasizing their mistake, offer empathy and explore solutions together. This not only helps them learn but also strengthens the trust between you. A supportive response fosters collaboration and opens the door to more positive exchanges moving forward.
Hamilton Spectator
13 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. reports offer ‘road map' for repatriation of Indigenous items, remains
A pair of reports out of British Columbia are detailing the complex, expensive and under resourced process of repatriating Indigenous historical items or remains back to their homes. The studies, developed in partnership between the First Peoples' Cultural Council and K'yuu Enterprise Corporation, call for changes including the creation of a centralized body to facilitate the work, a repatriation accreditation program for museums and other institutions, and 'substantial' funding and support from the provincial and federal government. Gretchen Fox, an anthropologist and the council's acting heritage manager, said the growing interest in the moral and ethical requirement for repatriation shows resources are needed to set out steps that could be used in B.C. and in other provinces and territories. 'There was a need for a way forward, or a road map — what's involved in repatriation, what's the history of it,' she said. 'To have a really good understanding and documentation of what's been lost, where these ancestors and belongings are held today, and what kind of work specifically is involved in locating them.' Researchers with the K'yuu Enterprise Corporation did a survey and found more than 2,500 B.C. First Nation human remains and upwards of 100,000 belongings are known to be held in 229 institutions — including museums and universities — around the world. Fox said the survey had only a 50 per cent response rate. 'So, we know that the numbers are much higher, and those numbers are just for ancestors and belongings that are associated with B.C. First Nations,' she said. The main report breaks down repatriation into a four-step process starting with planning and research, followed by repatriation itself and the long-term caretaking of the items or remains. It says 60 per cent of B.C. First Nations surveyed have already spent more than $1 million on repatriation work to date. 'Since the Canadian government has yet to commit to dedicated repatriation legislation, policy and funding, many (B.C. First Nations) are reliant on grants and other mechanisms to support their repatriation work,' it says. The report says when applying for grant programs that aren't dedicated to repatriation, nations are forced to focus on strict funding criteria and narrow timelines rather than their own needs. In 2016, B.C. became the first province in Canada to offer a grant to help pay for repatriation. While the report calls that funding 'welcome,' it says the money has not kept pace with requests. It says repatriation in Canada is 'severely underfunded.' 'For decades, B.C. First Nations have funded this work through piecemeal grants and heavy reliance on volunteer labour,' it says. Fox said there are a range of costs, from paying personnel to the technology required to research where items are located or the cost to store them properly. A companion report offers what Fox calls a 'really high level' cost estimate It suggests that if all 204 B.C. First Nations were funded over five years to participate in repatriation at various stages it would cost an estimated $663 million. Fox said the number is not a request for funding, but rather an attempt to test the model and 'show the monumental, significant, costs of this.' The report says repatriation is also an economic and social driver with benefits like health and healing, jobs and community development. 'It has spiritual and cultural impacts of reconnecting with belongings and carrying out responsibilities to ancestors and It's so meaningful, even if it's engaged at a slower pace, or on a smaller scale,' Fox said. She said having a First Nation-led centralized organizing body and programming to facilitate repatriation would be helpful to provide the opportunity to pool experience and resources. 'First Nations in B.C. are really leading the way in repatriation, and quite a few have quite a bit of expertise and experience around doing the work and also insights into the kinds of supports, whether it's legislation (or) policy,' she said. Inviting museums and other holding institutions would also be beneficial, Fox said. In 2023, a totem pole that had been on display at the Royal B.C. Museum, was brought back to Bella Coola, located almost 1,000 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. It was taken in 1913 and became part of the museum's collection. Representatives of the Nuxalk Nation said at the time that they had been trying to get the totem and other artifacts back since 2019. Also in 2023, a memorial totem pole belonging to members of the Nisga'a Nation was returned from the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, where it has been for nearly a century. Last year, the Heiltsuk Nation celebrated the return of a chief's seat that had been in the Royal BC Museum since 1911. Fox said an accreditation program for institutions that hold First Nations' remains and belongings could teach about repatriation and the practices and protocols needed. 'There's not a lot of formal training for folks who are doing the work, so it makes sense for those who are experts to have an arena, to share that,' she said. She said there is still work to be done, but over the last few decades more institutions are recognizing the 'moral and ethical imperative to make things right. That these belongings and ancestors were stolen or taken under duress from First Nations communities, and that the right thing to do is to facilitate their return.' 'At the same time, First Nations repatriation experts are training the next generations within their communities, and they're building relationships with institutions. And so we are seeing some significant movement and recognition that this is the right thing to do,' she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
