A Buried River Is Revived to Fight Climate Change
Over a hundred years ago, French officials thought they could tame Mother Nature. Oh, were they wrong.
In the 20th century, Europe was no stranger to industrialism. Buildings sprouted up faster than weeds, and people flocked to downtown Pairs like children in line for ice cream. Welcoming the new city dealers was the sparkling Bièvre river, averaging 13 feet in width.
It started at the heart of Paris and snaked 13 miles southwest, joining the Seine close to the Jardin des Plantes.
The Bièvre river
The Industrial Revolution advanced like a speeding train and left behind pollution that could make someone hold their breath or stay inside. After over one hundred years of abuse, the Bièvre river resembled a toxic wasteland that threatened the health and safety of its fellow city-goers.
A French newspaper Le Figaro in 1899 wrote: “It flows slowly, oily and black, streaked with acids, dotted with soapy and putrid pustules.” So, in 1912 French officials sealed up the river. After that, people went about their business until last year.
In 2021, and the last few years (since 2019), Paris has had record-breaking temperatures of 108.7°F (42.6°C), and it's speculated that extreme summertime heat could be the norm. But, there's a parallel here—can you spot it?
The same crazy industrial activities that caused the river to shrivel up are what's driving our current global warming.
A Way to Survive The Heat Is With Mother Nature’s Help
Living in harmony with nature was something we did for centuries. We communed with the cosmos, watched the harvest moons, and the stars to see when an equinox was on its way. Parisians find themselves, once again, relying on nature.
Areas with water, including trees and plants, cool down their surroundings. When the water evaporates (turns to gas), it carries the heat away, like a piggyback ride, effectively lowering the air and ground temperature. It’s Mother Nature's natural air conditioning system.
So, cities are looking for unique ways to create more green spaces that house water to give them a break from the heat.
A Worldwide River Revival
It’s not only Paris who wants to “daylight” their river. Auckland, New Zealand, removed large amounts of clay and debris to uncover sparkling streams near their downtown. In Manchester, U.K., in May 2022, will be unveiling a section of the River Medlock. In the U.S., New York City officials are researching a $130 million plan to resurface the Tibbetts Brook in the Bronx that was buried about the same time as the Bièvre.
All this to say, we're coming back to nature and our natural world in a big way. We no longer want to cover up something that’s not working but understand why it’s broken and our hand in it.
So, to do your part to combat climate change, plant a tree, support eco-friendly companies, and see if your city has a dead river and how you can get involved to bring it back to life.