An estimated ๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ง๐ข๐ก๐ก๐๐ฆ of air pollution has already been removed across the Black Country alone - as a result of 350,000 trees being planted here in the West Midlands.
Thanks to our amazing Mayor Andy Street, our region is showing the rest of the country how to be a leader in improving air quality for future generations.
I asked the Environment Secretary about our region's great progress in tree planting. You can watch this on my Facebook page, or read the minister's response below:
Nicola Richards:
"Since January 2020, 350,000 trees have been planted in the west midlands. An estimated 62 tonnes of air pollution have been removed as a result in the Black Country alone. More than 320,000 of those trees have now been registered with the West Midlands Combined Authorityโs virtual forest.
"Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking our wonderful Mayor, Andy Street, for spearheading that massive effort, and will she outline how the Government plan to help the west midlands to plant even more trees?"
Dr Therese Coffey:
"It is fantastic to hear about these successes and the innovation of virtual forests. I thank Mayor Andy Street and the people of the West Midlands for planting more trees.
"We will continue to support tree planting through our national forest in the Midlands. We will work closely with the Forestry Commission on the nature for climate fund grant schemes, including the local authority treescapes fund.
"This is yet another example of fantastic Conservative Mayors delivering for their residents cleaner air, and greener and more beautiful spaces. As we regularly say, vote blue, go green."