Gem O'Reilly

London’s Royal Parks are adapting to record heat, drought and increased grassfire risk by cutting grass short to create firebreaks, bringing forward hay cutting, warning visitors about litter and open-water swimming, and reducing reliance on mains water. To prepare for sudden heavy rain after drought, managers have enlarged ponds, added ditches and leaky dams, and are cultivating meadows, drought-tolerant plants and scrub to retain soil moisture, support biodiversity and improve resilience to future extreme weather.

Protesters from Save Wimbledon Park demonstrated as the Wimbledon Championships began, opposing the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s major expansion plans for 38 new courts and an 8,000‑seat stadium on former golf course land. Campaigners argue the development is too large, damaging to the local environment, and disruptive for residents, while the club says the project is essential for maintaining Wimbledon’s global status and will offer community benefits including new public parkland. The group plans to continue opposition despite the project having received planning approval.