Dr Grey Coupland, ecologist and leader of the Pocket Forests WA program at the Harry Butler Institute, on the need for more trees.

Perth is at a tipping point when it comes to our urban canopy cover. The urgency for action cannot be overstated. Without intervention, our city will face worsening heatwaves, reduced biodiversity, poorer air and water quality, and declining mental and physical health outcomes in our communities.

The most vulnerable communities – children, the elderly, and lower-income households – will be hardest hit. We see every day that areas with low tree cover experience hotter temperatures throughout the summer, leading to higher energy costs, increased health risks, and reduced outdoor activity.

But there is a solution. Urban greening initiatives provide a blueprint for more resilient and liveable cities. By investing in urban forests today, we can create cooler, healthier, and more connected communities into the future.

We all value green spaces for the shade they provide, their cooling effects, and their aesthetic appeal, but their benefits extend far beyond what meets the eye. Green spaces are natural stress relievers, support pollinators and urban agriculture, foster creativity and learning, strengthen communities, and even improve indoor air quality.

They act as natural buffers to extreme heat and unpredictable weather patterns, helping mitigate urban heat islands, reducing flood risks, and improving air quality by filtering pollutants, all contributing to climate resilience at a local level.

Green spaces in our cities also play a fundamental role in promoting urban biodiversity.

They provide habitats for a range of wildlife, from birds and insects to small mammals and plants. By incorporating more green areas, we can breathe fresh life into our cities, sharing our space with other organisms and contributing to the overall health of urban ecosystems.

Human health and well-being also see significant improvements with the presence of green spaces. Research has demonstrated that access to nature can reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance physical health by providing opportunities for exercise, recreation, and relaxation.

Greener urban environments offer fantastic opportunities for environmental education, too.

Programs like the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program, which I run across Perth through Murdoch University, involves school children in hands-on conservation activities, instilling a sense of responsibility and helping reconnect children with nature.

However, we need to do more, and this begins with establishing a clear target for our urban tree canopy, which remains the lowest of any capital city in Australia and importantly, introducing legislation to protect existing trees on private property.

Critically, we also need to stop Perth’s urban sprawl. We have the unenviable title of the longest city in the world. Perth extends over 150 km north to south and this has come at the expense of our now endangered Banksia woodland community.

Research indicates we should aim for at least 30% tree canopy cover by 2040, but the earlier we can implement this the better. Singapore, a bustling metropolis that supports a population more than twice the size of ours, has already achieved this. But why stop there?

The 3-30-300 Rule is now seen as best practice for urban environments. Based on this rule, living in a city we should all be able to see at least 3 trees from every home, have 30% canopy cover in every neighbourhood, and access a high-quality green space within 300 metres of every residence.

Increasing tree canopy is not just about aesthetics, it’s about cooling our suburbs, improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing community well-being – everything that makes our cities more liveable.

While this is a live election issue, it’s important to remember that we all have a role to play. Building a greener, more resilient Perth isn’t just the responsibility of governments and urban planners – every individual can make a difference.

Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or just love your local environment, small actions can make a big impact in increasing urban tree canopy and supporting biodiversity. Together, we can create a truly beautiful and sustainable place to live.