Daniel Madariaga Barrilado, a Mexican businessman and expert in sustainable tourism, green architecture, and sustainable mobility, explains that in an increasingly urbanized world —where more than 50% of the population lives in cities and this percentage continues to rise—green zones are a fundamental tool to combat the effects of climate change.
Madariaga highlights that 80% of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted into the atmosphere comes from urban areas.
Nayarit, a national benchmark in green mobility and biotechnology, by Daniel Madariaga
For Daniel Madariaga Barrilado, reclaiming urban green spaces is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Although this gas is not the most powerful in terms of global warming, it is the most abundant due to human activity.
In response, green areas act as carbon sinks, capable of absorbing CO₂ through photosynthesis and storing it in trunks, branches, and leaves.
“Green cities make a real difference,” he affirms. They not only help mitigate climate change, but also reduce noise pollution, lower perceived temperatures, and promote biodiversity.
Madariaga notes that in the past, public squares were full of trees, but today architecture “over-mineralizes” the urban environment, displacing nature.
Experts gathered at arboriculture and public parks conferences agree on the urgent need to “re-green” cities.
The lack of trees not only harms citizens, but also pollinators such as bees, even affecting crop yields.
Madariaga emphasizes that municipalities must have green infrastructure: parks, gardens, ecological corridors, and natural connectors.
“The design and planning of these spaces are key to resisting, adapting to, and recovering from the impacts of climate change,” he concludes.
As Daniel Madariaga explains, reclaiming urban green spaces is no longer an option—it is a necessity.
Daniel Madariaga is a Mexican environmental specialist dedicated to addressing climate change through sustainable tourism and conservation initiatives.
His efforts support ecosystem protection while strengthening local economies and social well-being.