Tulips take centre stage as Netherlands flower show sends climate change message

Visitors pass tulips at the world-renowned Dutch flower garden Keukenhof, in Lisse, Netherlands (Peter Dejong/AP)

The Dutch are putting tulips centre stage as they highlight ways to fight climate change.

Thousands of tulips are in bloom this week to welcome visitors to the opening of the once-in-a-decade Dutch horticultural exhibition called Floriade, which seeks to showcase horticultural innovations that can make urban areas more sustainable and healthier as people around the world increasingly shift to cities.