The Mediterranean Summer festival at Kew ran during the summer of
2007. Climate Change - what you can do
Install water butts to collect as much rainwater as possible
Are you up to the challenge?
Climate change is the biggest challenge facing our planet today.
If we all take responsibility now to help to solve this environmental problem our individual actions can make a real difference.
We can help prevent an environmental event that will affect everyone, whether it be by flooding, storms, drought, or disease. Act now to reduce your carbon footprint, use less energy and help save water and you will be directly contributing to the solution.
The climate in Britain, especially in the south-east, is becoming more Mediterranean-like every year. In fact Kew has not experienced a proper winter with sustained cold weather since the 1980s. January 2007 was the warmest for more than 90 years, and 11 out of the last 12 years have been the hottest on record.
Gardening in an environmentally friendly way is one step on the ladder and one which can be extremely rewarding and good fun. If we begin to use plants that are naturally adapted to mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers we can have a healthy-looking garden all year round without the stress and bills of constant watering and maintenance. This helps save water, energy and other resources.
Things you can do
- Install water butts to collect as much rainwater as possible.
- Choose plants that do well in dry, warm conditions eg Artemisia, Rosmarinus, Lavandula, Cistus and Phlomis.
- Use a mulch to reduce soil evaporation and prevent weeds.
- Create your own compost from household waste.
- Water your plants carefully at the end of the day.
- Group potted plants together to improve local humidity.
- Consider reducing your area of lawn and look to garden designers such as Piet Oudolf and Beth Chatto for dry gardening ideas.
- Choose to shop, bank and use suppliers in a way that helps the environment.
Simple choices could make all the difference.
Find out more
Why not visit these websites for information about climate change and energy use.
- www.climatecrisis.net
- www.carbonfootprint.com
- www.defra.gov.uk
- www.thames-water.com
- www.recyclenow.com
- www.london.gov.uk/sunshinegarden
- www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving
Up to 25% of the world's flowering plants face extinction within the next 50 years as a result of habitat loss, climate change and over-exploitation. Plants are one of major sinks for carbon dioxide worldwide, the conservation of their diversity is an urgent need. Please support Kew's work.