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Climate change affects all people, because it has an impact on every person’s living environment. This means that everyone can contribute to making their own living environment climate-proof and keeping it that way. The measures are often simple, due to small adjustments around your own house and garden.

Roughly speaking: more greenery and fewer tiles, means more climate-resistant. Let's Act & Adapt: start easy by removing the first tile from your garden!

Foto via Stichting Steenbreek, fotograaf Sjon.nl

Collect rainwater

Collecting rainwater can be done, for example, by using a rain barrel. Collected rainwater can then be used for watering your garden and you also save on your water bill. Also a good idea: use the rainwater for your houseplants, it contains less lime and is therefore healthier.

Remove the tiles from your garden and replace them with greenery

When replacing tiles with greenery, you ensure that the rainwater can infiltrate into the soil and replenish the groundwater. Tiled gardens also retain heat. The removal of tiles creates more space for planting and the greenery keeps the garden cooler on hot summer days.

Start your own vegetable garden, also for your balcony!

Know what you eat! With your own vegetable garden you can easily implement this and create your own piece of nature. In addition, a vegetable garden retains water and contributes to a more natural water cycle.

Draw animals to your yard

Give animals a place in your environment. You can create a butterfly feeding place, start a feeding house for squirrels, or open an insect hotel. Insects are a food source for birds and other animals, they pollinate flowers and plants, they fight each other and by doing this they keep the populations in balance.

Choose a green roof for your house, shed and garage

Green roofs have many positive effects. They buffer rainwater, keep the underlying room cool, provide more biodiversity in the city and bind particulate matter with the added benefit of looking attractive. Picture via Stichting Steenbreek, photographer Sjon.nl

Want to know more?

In addition to the examples above, there are many more other at-home actions for your own environment. Municipalities also have various schemes that promote climate-adaptive solutions. Curious about other do-it-yourself examples for your home or actions that are stimulated by your municipality? Take a look here:

Operatie Steenbreek
Huisje boompje beter
Groningen Klimaatbestendig
Kennisportaal Ruimtelijke Adaptatie

Picture on the top: via Stichting Steenbreek, photographer Sjon.nl