Humans living in cities will be hit hardest by the negative effects of climate change. Since more than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, there has been a tremendous increase in the amount of polluting emissions.
Find out why urban gardening can help reducing the effects of climate change.
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How can urban gardening help fight climate change
A plethora of efforts have been made to lessen the blow of climate change on individuals, cities, and nations. City planners, lawmakers, and people in general are turning to urban gardening to help incorporate the natural world into cities with forward-thinking measures like sustainable transportation and green development.
Prioritizing green infrastructure, which includes urban gardening, can help communities adapt to climate change and reduce their future environmental impact.
In addition to adapting what you grow in your garden to these shifting weather patterns, there are some basics of city gardening that can help in the fight against climate change. These are some viable avenues for learning more about city gardens and taking direct action.
Impact of climate change on cities and how can urban gardening help
As far as the environmental toll that city life exacts, air pollution and garbage are at the top of the list. Constant byproducts of urban living include plastic packaging, food waste, exhaust fumes, and more. The sheer number of them is having a devastating effect on the environment and endangering people’s health in new ways.
Climate change threatens to undermine many aspects of human health, including access to clean water, pollen levels, nutritious food, and even mental well-being. As global average temperatures continue to rise, the risk of the spread of infectious diseases of all kinds increases.
Air pollution and garbage are two of the biggest problems when thinking about the environmental impact of city life. Garbage from modern urban life includes food scraps, car parts, plastic containers, and more. Their rapid proliferation poses an unprecedented threat to human health and has devastating ecological effects.
6 essentials to fight climate change in cities
The following are some of the most important features in the battle against climate change and global warming in cities.
1. Plant more trees in cities
Planting trees in the right places in cities can dramatically reduce intense heating and can eliminate the need for air conditioning.
Planting trees to the west of your home for example, can help you beat the afternoon sun and keep your home at a more comfortable temperature.
2. Garbage management
By composting, you can reuse nutrients in food scraps and reduce the amount of yard waste sent to landfills. If you do not have a yard, you may be wondering: where can I find a compost bin? No big deal.
Make a worm bin for composting, or check with your local garbage service to see if food scraps can be thrown in the trash.
3. Eat locally grown foods to lessen your carbon footprint
Reducing the distance that food must travel before arriving at your table is better for the planet.
What a blessing it is to have a ready supply of homegrown fruits and vegetables. Keep an eye out for “locally produced” labels in grocery stores, roadside stands, and markets.
4. When landscaping, choose drought-resistant plant species to reduce water usage
Do your research to find drought- and heat-resistant trees, shrubs, ornamentals, and groundcovers before making a purchase.
Make cities more environmental with urban gardening
The effects of climate change are now too severe to be ignored. Moreover, city planners worldwide will need to find ways to make their cities more environmentally friendly as urban populations continue to grow.
There is some evidence that prioritizing green infrastructure and urban gardening projects can improve long-term quality of life and climate resilience. Without a shadow of a doubt, climate change is a serious issue, but if we pull together as a species, we can start to make a difference.
Read also: Reimagining cities is crucial to stop climate change
