Our city is in a sorry state. Outdoor pollution kills 4.2 million people a year, according to the World Health Organization. Concrete and tarmac (柏油碎石材料) absorb the sun’s rays rather than reflecting them back into space, and also replace plants which would otherwise cool things down. The continuous spread of buildings and roads thus turns urban areas into heat islands, discomforting residents and worsening dangerous heatwaves.

A possible answer is trees. Their leaves may destroy at least some chemical pollutants (污染物) and provide shade. In 2019, researchers at the University of Wisconsin found that American cities need 40% tree coverage to cut urban heat back meaningfully. Unfortunately, not all cities — and especially not those springing up in the world’s poor countries — are blessed with parks, private gardens or even street trees in sufficient numbers.

Miyawaki Akira, a plant ecologist at Yorkhama National University, in Japan, has developed a new way to increase unban greening. It is to plant miniature simulacra (微型仿制品) of natural forests in the unpromising abandoned areas. Dr Miyawaki has organised the planting of more than 1, 500 of these miniature forests, first in Japan, then in other parts of the world. Others are following in his footsteps. India is particularly keen. In Mumbai, more than 200,000 trees are found in Miyawaki forests throughout the city. Hyderabad started growing the largest individual forest of the lot in 2020.

The Miyawaki method will never work out on a large scale. Relying on nature and the passage of time is probably the best for replanting extensive areas of damaged woodlands. But if your goal is to better your immediate neighborhood, rather than to save the planet from global warming, then Dr. Miyawaki might well be your man.

At the age of seven, while his friends were spending their pocket money on candy and toys, Jose Adolfo Quisocola, from Peru, came up with the creative idea of an eco-bank, which allows kids of all ages to become economically independent and financially wise while also helping the environment.

Set up in 2012, The Bartselana Student Bank is the world’s first cooperative bank for kids. Whoever wants to join has to bring in at least 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of solid waste (paper or plastic) and set a saving goal. Once accepted, all bank “partners” are required to deposit(存入)at least one additional kilogram (2. 2 pounds) of recyclables on a monthly basis and obey other requirements, such as attending financial education and environmental management workshops. The waste collected is sold to local recycling companies, who, thanks to some clever negotiation(协商)by Jose, pay a higher-than-market price for everything brought in by Bartselana Student Bank members. The money received is placed in the individual’s account where it adds up until his/her savings goal is reached. The account holder can then withdraw his/her money, or choose to leave it and continue to grow for a bigger target.

“At the beginning, my teachers thought I was crazy or that a child could not undertake this type of project, ” Jose recalls. “They did not understand that we are not the future of the country but its present. Luckily, I had the support of the school principal and an assistant in my classroom. ”

The youngster’s persistence(坚持不懈)paid off. Today, the eco-bank, which now has the support of several local organizations, has ten educational enters and begins accepting applications from kids all across Peru. On November 20, 2018, the young boy was awarded the famous Children’s Climate Prize(CCP). “Jose’s eco-bank is a brilliant way of linking economy and climate impact, both in thought and practice. The potential impact is amazing, ” a judge said.

Hopefully, Jose’s success will inspire more kids and adults to come up with new ideas that create value while helping the environment. As the boy says, “Together we can change the world...we just need an Opportunity...”

Imagine being able to pop to your local park and pick some tomatoes, potatoes or even bananas to take home for dinner. Sounds too good to be true, right? For residents (居民) of Andernach, German, it’s not just a dream — it’s their reality.

In 2010, Andernach began its edible (可食用的) city project that hadn’t been carried out before, planting 101 varieties of tomatoes in public green spaces around the city center. Its 30,000 residents are free to help themselves to whatever grows, as are any other visitors.  The town’s motto of sorts is “Picking is encouraged — help yourself!” Every year a new type of plant is highlighted. In 2011, 100 types of beans were planted, while 2012 saw the introduction of 20 onion varieties. And it has become the phenomenon of the city.

It’s a community effort, as local citizens are encouraged to help plant and maintain the gardens. This offers an opportunity to socialize as well as to learn about planting, cultivating and harvesting food.

An Andernach resident spoke to DW,“I often drop by to pick some herbs that I’m missing at home. Everything is easily accessible. There aren’t any fences. You just take what you need. The only thing is that you have to be quick once the fruits are ripe or they’ll all be gone!”

Andernach may have been the first in German, but it isn’t the only edible city. It’s part of the Edible Cities Network, a project funded by European Union to connect green urban foot initiatives (方案) around the world. Other cities include Carthage in Tunisia, Havana in Cuba and Sempeter-Vrtojba in Slovenia. In February 2022, the first Edible Cities Network Conference took place. Dr Ina Saumel, principal investigator of the Edible Cities Network, called it “a unique opportunity to invite researchers of edible city solutions and practitioners all together.”

Ultimately, the Edible Cities Network aims to give people “greener, more edible and, above all, more livable cities.” It is a response to the pressures of global climate change, and a significant cause full of hope.