They can help us tackle climate change by:  

• Taking carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere. This is one of the main gases that is causing climate change. Plants (trees, shrubs, flowers and grass) breathe in CO2. They use it to make sugars so they can grow. Carbon is stored in their wood, leaves, stems. The more plants (especially trees) we can put in and keep growing into old age the more carbon can be stored! 
• Keeping towns and cities cooler. It's hard to believe but we will get more heat waves with climate change. When we do trees, shrubs and climbers will give us shade. They also cool the air when water evaporates from their leaves. 
• Reducing flooding. There will be more flooding with climate change. Trees and woodlands slow down the flow of water, soak up rainwater and reduce erosion. In greenspaces water run-off can be 80% less than on tarmac. 

Letting burns and rivers curve and bend (meander) means water flows more slowly. The Garrel burn in Kilsyth used to be a straight channel; now it meanders. The new burn floods naturally into the local nature reserve.

But greenspaces are also great for: 

• Our health and wellbeing. We might go there to exercise, get some sun (wind and rain), meet others, relax and unwind, or watch wildlife. Whatever the reason, research shows being out in greenspace “improves our mental health and feelings of wellbeing. It can reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression. It can help boost immune systems, encourage physical activity and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as asthma. It can combat loneliness and bind communities together.”*
• Cutting down pollution. Plants can do this in several ways: By creating a barrier (getting between us and air or noise pollution) and filtering out some pollutants with their leaves. Some trees are better at doing this than others. However, sometimes they might trap pollution in the towns and villages!