Pollution, climate change, natural disasters, accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions ... the preservation of the planet is an issue of concern and the accumulation of CO2 is one of the main causes. Then how to react to preserve our ecosystem? How can everyone take a step to contribute in their own way?
To reduce this concentration of CO2 which has harmful effects on the environment, plants and vegetables play an essential role. It is therefore important to protect them and increase their cultivation. It is everyone's responsibility to protect these plants and to decide to adopt them at home, in their garden.
But this is not enough, science can also be an essential contribution to quickly rebalance this climate change…
The impact of CO2 on the planet
Floods, storms, drought, fires... CO2 is one of the main causes of global climate change. Over the years, the CO2 emissions are constantly increasing, it then becomes more and more urgent to act to limit these carbon emissions as well as the more and more frequent natural disasters that result from them.
Since the industrial revolution, human activities have multiplied, which has led to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). But then, what do we mean by "human activities"? This increase is mainly due to the exploitation and consumption of fossil fuels (coal, oil ...), deforestation (to replace forests with fields or buildings, etc.) and agriculture intensive (breeding). But not only that. Industry, transport, and household consumption of heating and electricity also contribute significantly to this increase in CO2 emissions around the world. Each of us must taking action to reduce our environmental impact by focusing on soft transport, renewable energies and changing its habits to adopt simple and ecological gestures (turn off and unplug your appliances instead of leaving them on standby, give maximum preference to natural light, limit heating and / or air conditioning consumption ...). These are small responsible actions which make it possible to take a big step for the preservation of the planet.
Indeed, today, this atmospheric CO2 concentration significantly affects the environment and leads to serious natural imbalances, including global warming. Based on the statistics proposed by the Global Carbon Project organization, we see that CO2 emissions are constantly increasing despite the development and increasingly frequent use of renewable energies. The estimated CO2 reduction target by 2030 accounts for more than half of CO2 emissions in 2017 (35.5 billion tonnes in 2017 and 14.6 billion tonnes in 2030), an optimistic estimate.
But to achieve this figure, everyone mustbecome aware of your environmental footprintforreduce CO2 emissions. Are you used to driving to work alone? Think about carpooling, take the bike, public transport or go on foot if possible.Set up eco-responsible habitsat home but also on yourplace of work !
Which plants absorb the most CO2?
One of the main causes of global CO2 concentration is deforestation. However, plants and vegetables have a crucial role in the absorption of CO2. But what if there are fewer and fewer plants? Some plants are able to absorb much more CO2 than others, which is why it is important to give preference to them because they can be a very effective help for contributing to the restoration of the planet. Knowing these many plants and adopting them in your garden is a first step! Discover some of these miracle plants…
The Paulownia Tomentosa: the tree with extraordinary environmental qualities
Originally from Asia, this tree is remarkable, both from an environmental and aesthetic point of view. According to a study, this tree would be recognized for its incredible environmental qualities since it is able to absorb 10 times more CO2 than any tree. The Paulownia so has this ability to purify the air around by producing 4 times more oxygen than a conventional tree. In addition to its recognized ecological virtues, the Paulownia is also highly appreciated all over the world for its beauty, thanks to its pretty purple flowers and its imposing build.
Indeed, it is a tree that grows and multiplies very quickly: it reaches its final size of 10 to 25 m in a maximum of 5 years. Excellent forabsorb CO2 and purify the airhowever, his virtues do not end there. It is also able to clean floors by absorbing a lot of dust.
You have certainly already had to cross some without even knowing that it was very beneficial for the environment!
Bamboo: THE solution against greenhouse gases
The bamboo is a plant used for thousands of years, especially in architecture and the manufacture of objects and furniture. Often considered one of the causes of deforestation, bamboo is indeed an invasive plant if its cultivation is not controlled and mastered. In the case of a reasoned cultivation of bamboo, it is a plant that does not cause deforestation and that turns out to be a great help for the environment.
Indeed, thee bamboo absorbs 5 times more greenhouse gases and produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent volume of trees! It has a very important CO2 retention capacity since one hectare of bamboo grove can capture up to 60 tons of CO2 each year.
And these are not the only benefits of bamboo! This plant also has the advantage of limit erosion by restoring soils. Indeed, its narrow leaves allow much more water to pass through and thus offer better infiltration into the soils. Bamboo is thus widely used in regenerative agriculture to repair arid lands.
Increasingly adopted in gardens to create a zen and relaxing environment, bamboo requires no maintenance, beautifies a garden and is environmentally friendly!
The Iroko: the miraculous tree that stores CO2 to turn it into limestone
The Iroko is a african tropical tree growing mainly in hot and humid areas, which has a remarkable ability to absorbing CO2 to transform it into limestone.
The tree captures CO2 and draws minerals from the soil to store them in the form of calcium oxalate. Then these calcium oxalate crystals are transformed and degraded into limestone in the soil.
This process has several advantages for surrounding plants: it optimizes the photosynthesis of certain plants, protects plants from herbivorous animals, and optimizes the resistance of trees in case of fire.
Ivy: the anti-pollution plant
Often considered parasitic and destructive of the plants on which it climbs, the climbing ivy still plays a protective role for other plants by protecting them from heat, cold and/or moisture.
Many facades of buildings, especially old ones are vegetated with ivy because, by opting for a vegetated wall, it allows to create a natural insulation for fighting the heat and regulate the temperature building.
In urban areas, the ivy is very effective against pollution thanks to its depolluting properties and its ability to absorb particles. As well, ivy can absorb heavy metals present in the air. It is therefore important to pick up ivy leaves and not let them accumulate on the floors in order to prevent heavy metals from being absorbed.
So do not disparage the ivy growing on your facades and in your garden anymore! Contrary to what you think, this is a protective and anti-polluting plant. If you haven't already, all you have to do is planting ivy in your garden…
A "super-plant" created by science to capture more CO2
The importance of plants is no longer to prove for fighting global warming. To accelerate the restoration of the planet, scientists and biologists have therefore sought to create plants that would absorb even more CO2 than any other plant. And this with the aim of having a real impact on the decrease in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
A super-plant capable of absorbing up to 20 times more CO2 than other plants, do you think this is impossible? You're wrong. This is indeed possible and this plant was imagined by the biologist Joanne Chory. In the process of being created, this genetically modified plant should be developed within 5-10 years and may well participate in saving our planet.
According to research, in order for this plant to fully contribute to reducing global warming, it should be planted on an area equivalent to Egypt to absorb almost 50% of global CO2 emissions! All that remains is to wait for it to be developed…
Conclusion
The global warming is becoming more and more worrisome and greenhouse gas emissions are constantly increasing from year to year. Biodiversity plays an essential role for the preservation of the environment, and some plants have the ability to absorb much more CO2 than others. These are therefore to be protected and prioritized to stop global warming such as the bamboo, the iroko, the paulownia, the ivy, etc. But in this emergency situation, science is of great help in supporting the environment through the creation of "magic" plants with amazing CO2-absorbing abilities. There is no doubt that in a few years, these plants from science will be talked about.
Do you want to act in your own way? Dress up your garden and your interior with depolluting plants and go green in the office and at home!
