Our seasons are confused and becoming increasingly unpredictable.
If you have a garden you will have noticed the effects of this weird weather on plants and wildlife but the good news is that your garden is helping to combat climate change – particularly if it is in the city as gardens now account for almost half of the UK’s urban green space.
The RHS have outlined ways in which our gardens help to keep the planet green and healthy. They have sent a strong message to Britain’s gardeners that the humble urban backyard plays a vital environmental and ecological role in our present and future lives.
It’s something that keen horticulturalists have always suspected, but for the first time, the RHS has brought together all the published evidence in a scientific review entitled Gardening Matters: Urban Gardens.
Collating the evidence reveals four key areas in which our gardens make a difference.
* They help control urban temperatures, mitigating the effects of extreme heat and cold.
* They help prevent flooding by absorbing rainwater that would otherwise overload drainage systems.
* They have effectively become some of Britain’s best nature reserves, supporting a range of wildlife including birds, mammals and invertebrates.
*They support human health by easing stress and providing physical exercise.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/pdfs/RHS-urban-greening
Think they forgot to mention one other vital benefit:
* They are a precious legacy that we can give to future generations !
March 19th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
I’m using your blog post in my classroom today! We are beginning our garden and I wanted to show how we can connect everyday tasks to the topic of climate change. Thanks!