Louisa Pearson: Bees like cities for the same reasons people do

THEY’RE colourful, exciting and there are lots of great places to eat and drink.

OK, so there is no scientific proof that bees like excitement, but they definitely enjoy the long flowering season provided by the diverse mix of plants to be found in city parks, windowboxes and gardens. Tired of the dull monocultures of country fields, bees everywhere are packing up and moving to the city to seek their fortunes, and they’re not alone.

According to the United Nations, an estimated 59 per cent of the world's population will be living in urban areas by 2030. Tomorrow is the UN’s World Habitat Day, and Cities and Climate Change is this year’s theme – perhaps inspired by the UN’s assessment that the world’s cities are responsible for approximately 70 per cent of emissions, while covering just two per cent of the land. This statistic makes cities seem like Industrial Revolution-era blots on the landscape, filled with smog, grime and broken dreams. There’ll be Dickensian ragamuffins too, although they’ll be better dressed, having just looted Foot Locker.

Let’s turn our attention towards the cities leading the way towards a bright new tomorrow rather than sending us spiralling into climate chaos and despair. Take Malmo, in Sweden, where a former shipyard has been transformed into an urban oasis fuelled by 100 per cent renewable energy, with buildings built of sustainable materials and streets designed with cyclists in mind. Then there’s the neighbourhood of Augustenborg, with its green roofs and emissions-free electric street trains. Perhaps the city officials could pop over and help sort out Edinburgh’s trams.

Further afield, 90 per cent of power in Vancouver comes from hydro-electric energy, and innovations include solar-powered rubbish compactors (you can fit more in the bin so the collection lorry doesn’t have to come as often). My favourite green city is Reykjavik, though it has an unfair advantage with all that geothermal activity, providing renewable heating, hot water and electricity.

The European Green City Index, produced by Siemens and the Economist Intelligence Unit, contains some inspirational stories – apparently Vienna has a repair network, with more than 50 shops with frequent-user benefits to encourage people not to throw things away. In Ljubljana, you’ll find an unusual lottery – a household or office recycling bin is randomly selected to win money if it contains the correct type of waste. Closer to home, in London, the Waste and Recycling Board has created a ‘dating agency’ to attract companies interested in using waste for either fuel or recycling.

In the Forum for the Future’s UK Sustainable Cities Index, Newcastle topped the list, thanks to a plans to install 580 electric car charging points, high rates of recycling and commitment to bees and allotments – back to bees again. Edinburgh managed ninth place, marked down for residents' ecological footprint (lots of car and air travel) and poor energy-efficiency in housing stock. Glasgow, in 19th place, faces challenges including a low rate of recycling and lack of allotments. Time to move to Scandinavia, I think. Or better yet, make Scotland’s cities fit for the future – a windowbox on every window will be a nice start to keep us and the bees happy. n