Bitumen or Nature? In what environment do we want our children to learn about life? This is a real question that arises today and a challenge for the future in the era of climate change. It is also in this sense that the CPIE (Permanent Center for Environmental Initiatives) Touraine Val de Loire offers to support schoolyard revegetation projects.
Mélanie Godon, environmental educator at the CPIE Touraine Val de Loire explains to us here why the revegetation of schoolyards has now become a necessity. There are several reasons for this project:
– the fight against global warming. Indeed, tar and bitumen retain heat and can even create veritable urban heat islands in the middle of summer when children need to cool off. Trees and greenery make it possible to limit temperature rises and bring back humidity for more breathable air.
– Welcoming biodiversity. Similarly, tar and bitumen are not places favored by fauna or flora. These are less spaces for all this biodiversity which is in great difficulty. In addition, a lively place is a source of learning for children.
– Soil waterproofing. Soil artificialization leads to a lack of rainwater absorption and can cause flooding. More than ever, we need water to be able to infiltrate the soil and circulate more easily.
Another unexpected argument: we noticed that the green schoolyards were much better invested by both girls and boys when the tarred schoolyards are used mainly by boys to play football… To think about!