Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumLondon's New Artificial Trees Guzzle As Much Pollution As 275 Regular Trees
The world is, finally, awakening to the imminent threats posed by climate change and pollution, and London is starting to do its bit to help. From zero-emissions streets to pollution-eating solar panels, along with restaurants trending towards zero-waste and veganism, the capital has begun to put greener, more sustainable methods into practice. Next in the war on global warming are three new City Trees, a series of CO2-filtering structures which have just been installed in Leytonstone.
Useful as they are, calling the City Trees trees is a bit of a misnomer. Theyre actually towers filled with different types of moss, which eat up particulates and nitrogen oxides whilst simultaneously producing oxygen. The City Trees include their own irrigation and energy systems that allows them to operate whatever the weather, and also collect data about the surrounding environment, which can then be used to inform further green solutions.
Each moss tower has the air-cleaning capability of 275 regular trees, making them an extremely powerful tool for improving air quality, especially in polluted areas where it wouldnt be possible to plant such a large number of trees. Another handy benefit especially given the scorching July we had last year comes from the mosses ability to store large amounts of moisture, which keeps the surrounding air cooler.
Youll find the City Trees outside Leytonstone tube station (where a pair have been installed) and on the intersection of Leytonstone High Road and Crownfield Road both pollution hotspots within the borough of Waltham Forest, which announced a Climate Emergency last summer in order to tackle the problem head-on. Its not the first time London has seen City Trees on its streets a 2018 trial saw them pitch up in the West End for a few months but with these trees being permanent installations, one can only hope its another small step towards a cleaner, greener city.
https://secretldn.com/city-trees-london-pollution/?fbclid=IwAR062c70TajQwpzyOKk3W2TFVoTmB5ZE_UfWXr9ta1SfmAuRuu1QjJE3HoU
appalachiablue
(41,183 posts)More_Cowbell
(2,191 posts)That wasn't what I was picturing at *all*.
not fooled
(5,803 posts)I was expecting to see some sort of manmade structure filled with synthetic absorbent material.
They need a better, more accurate name. Those aren't "trees" or treelike.
But, cool moss banks.
eggplant
(3,915 posts)spinbaby
(15,091 posts)Plants are made largely of carbon. They turn carbon dioxide into plant. Its what plants do.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)JudyM
(29,294 posts)Thanks for the post, StevieM!