Cities in Motion #1
Discovering London’s green oases
6 minute read
It all started with a simple question:
'How can cities become more sustainable?'
To help find an answer, we teamed up with Voice for Nature and sustainability broadcaster James Stewart. Together, and behind the wheel of IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, we embarked on a journey in four cities to learn and be inspired.
This is the first of five articles on sustainable cities we visited, including London, Frankfurt, Jakarta, and Los Angeles. Read on to discover more about what James experienced during his travels and meet people dedicated to making a difference.
Although cities cover only 2% of the earth's surface, they are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, account for 80% of energy consumption, use 75% of natural resources, and produce over half of our waste (IUCN Cities and Nature brief). With statistics like these, it's clear that any lasting sustainability plan must address how we can make our cities cleaner, greener, healthier, and more equitable. That was the start of our global journey of discovery. During our ‘Cities in Motion’ series, we visited four cities and learned how each of them is making its own unique contribution to a more sustainable urban future.
Getting off to an insightful start
We started our journey in London to find a vital sustainability component that every city needs—nature. Adequate urban green spaces do more than just remove CO2 from the air. Another crucial role is that they present places for people to connect with nature and relax even in the busiest of settings. Together, we discovered these "green lungs" with a vehicle equally committed to helping lessen the emission, the IONIQ 6.
We always forget that we are creatures of this earth too, and we need to interact with other species. Louis VI, producer, zoologist, rapper
A national park city
I've lived in London for over 10 years, but sometimes, you need someone else to open your eyes to a place. That person was Louis VI, a fellow Londoner, environmentalist, and immensely talented multi-instrumentalist and rapper. On one sunny day in June, he joined me in the IONIQ 6 as my guide through the city I called home but still had much to learn about. The first eye-opener he showed me was just how verdant London is. Over half of the city is green, with 3,000 public parks, 3.8 million private gardens, over 500 km of rivers, canals, reservoirs, wetlands, and 150 nature reserves. In fact, London is so green that it became the first-ever National Park City in 2019.
The more places we visited, the more I realized that having green spaces in cities is an absolute necessity. As Louis puts it, "Nature isn't a luxury." This insight is also the title of his keynote speech at the COP26 and upcoming documentary.
Green spaces provide impressive benefits for cities: increased resilience to climate change, improved air and water quality, and CO2 reduction – just to name a few. Adding to the advantageous mix are stable habitats for wildlife, improved health, peace of mind, and happiness. The impact of green spaces is one reason Hyundai has been planting thousands of trees globally as part of the IONIQ Forest initiative.
Pocket forests – colossal benefits
During our trip, we experienced extensive, vast green areas like Richmond and Hyde Park. However, we discovered that even a tiny green patch, like the Heritage Forest in Kensington, can do wonders. The non-profit organization SUGi is responsible for these "pocket forests" that now dot the city. Through the "greening" of urban areas, SUGi aims to create more biodiversity, climate resilience, community, and wellbeing. Forest Keeper Adrian told us how they made a thriving sanctuary for wildlife and people in just a few years by planting ultra-dense forests of native species. He was right about the calming effect. Standing amongst the hawthorn and oak trees, I could feel my pulse slowing down and a sudden feeling of contentment. And it wasn't just me - thanks to an increasing body of evidence, we are starting to untangle some of nature's secrets and countless benefits. Next time you are somewhere green, tune in and notice the personal changes.
When you walk through a forest, you get that smell – and that chemical has been shown to lower cortisol levels… Forests are fantastic for reducing stress, anxiety, and blood pressure. Adrian Wong, Forest Maker, SUGi
We can create urban acupuncture – small spaces can immediately become wild, lush places of habitat. Elise Van Middelem, Founder of SUGi
Trees can't do it alone
While the impact of trees and green spaces in urban areas is remarkable, Louis noted that we can't leave it all up to nature. We must also do our part. Sustainable technology, including electric vehicles and other clean mobility solutions, is a big part of the answer, and some of those innovations are being developed right here in London. The exciting partnership between Hyundai Motor Company and University College London is an excellent example of advancing future carbon-neutral technology like hydrogen power.
Equal access is key
While London does have a considerable number of green spaces, access to them is not equally widespread. During our trip and talks with Louis, I realized just how big of a challenge this was. Over half of London might be green, but the areas they are found in are not always inclusive. According to the Green Space Index, at least 10,000 Londoners remain deprived of green spaces. People from black, Asian, or minority backgrounds, as well as low-income households, typically have the least access. Green spaces and the many benefits they bring should be available to all. Fortunately, as I learned during the last leg of our London trip, there are plenty of dedicated people across the city making this possible.
Kids naturally love nature; we teach them to fall out of love with it in modern society. So we've got to stop doing that and keep it nurtured. Louis VI, producer, zoologist, rapper
A new generation of environmental stewards
After leaving central London, we headed east to William Ford Junior School in Dagenham. As we pulled up in our IONIQ 6, we were immediately greeted by an enthusiastic gang of 30 primary school kids, all busy planting trees. Louis had arranged for us to participate in another SUGi project – The Harmony Forest. This project, which is still in its infancy, consists of a 650 m2 outdoor classroom and forest. Together with Lead Forest Supervisor James and SUGi Founder Elise, we grabbed our trowels, selected some native tree saplings, and joined the kids in their reforestation activities. Ultimately, it wasn't just trees planted here but the promise of more green spaces that a broader spectrum of society can enjoy.
Working with and for the community
In some ways, helping schoolchildren plant trees felt like the final piece of the puzzle. Green spaces are necessary for everyone, but their creation and maintenance should involve the community. The best way to start is with the youth. By nurturing an environmental conscience early on, we can grow the next generation of forests and environmental stewards. Of course, there is no right age to get involved: cities are full of community gardens and projects. If you want to make a tangible difference in your town while increasing your sense of well-being, getting involved in an urban greenery project is the right start.
Our journey through London was as fascinating as it was informative. But there's much more discovery around the corner, and plenty remains to learn from our upcoming destination. What's clear now is that for a city to be truly sustainable, green foundations and community roots are a must.
Follow @hyundai on Instagram to learn more about the IONIQ fleet and our journey towards more sustainable cities.