Environmental Science and Technology recently published research conducted by Michigan State University (MSU) scientists that suggest roof top gardens could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
According to excerpts from the article:
If all rooftops in an urban area with a population of about one million (roughly the size of Adelaide or Detroit), grew these rooftop gardens, it would be equivalent to eliminating a year’s worth of carbon dioxide emitted by 10,000 large cars and trucks, say the scientists, based in Michigan.
“Widespread use of [rooftop gardens] would definitely be improving our management of carbon, especially in large cities where rooftops cover a great deal of land area,” said researcher Kristin Getter, a horticulturist at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, whose study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The soil depth and plant types used in rooftop gardens varies, and some can even support trees, however due to building weight restrictions and costs the gardens usually have a shallow layer of soil and small succulent plants.
Read the entire article here.
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