Media Release: Planting trees today can help South Africans withstand the heat of tomorrow

For immediate release
12 October 2026

The approaching El Niño weather cycle and predictions of soaring summer temperatures could make 2027 a challenging year for South Africans, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

For communities with little protection from the sun, extreme heat is more than uncomfortable; it can make daily life unbearable, particularly where temperatures remain high long after sunset. Planting trees offers a practical, long-term way to help communities adapt to rising temperatures.

The rollout of the Presidential One Billion Trees Campaign presents an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently distributed hundreds of trees to selected schools and clinics across the region, creating opportunities to establish greener, cooler and more resilient community spaces.

However, planting trees is only the beginning. Young trees must be planted in suitable locations where they can receive adequate care and water, particularly during their establishment phase. Their survival and eventual maturity will determine the lasting benefits of the initiative.

Planting trees in clusters can create cooler microclimates, provide valuable shade and support biodiversity. Fruit-bearing trees can also contribute to local food security. Over time, these green spaces could offer much-needed relief to communities with few natural refuges from the heat.

Tree planting, alongside responsible water use, demonstrates how practical local interventions can strengthen resilience to a changing climate.

At the same time, the removal of dense stands of invasive alien plants across parts of the Garden Route is contributing to improved water security and reduced fire risk. These efforts highlight the importance of managing landscapes in ways that protect scarce resources while supporting ecological health.

The challenge is to turn initiatives into lasting outcomes. As communities prepare for increasingly demanding summers, investment in trees, their ongoing care and responsible environmental management will be essential. The benefits may take years to fully realise, but the work must begin now.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and serves a climate change think tank. (www.grefecsf.co.za).

Feature Image: One of the public parks in Dormehlsdrift, George, where an Outeniqua yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus) in the foreground, provides natural shade and creates a cool, sheltered space for the community.

ENDS