Eco-anxiety is nothing new. However, not everyone is open to discussing it in detail. Some of them are still trying to figure out whether it is relevant or not, especially now that people worldwide are pretty much adapting to environmental changes. However, for those individuals who are far more concerned about what is happening on the planet, they are dealing with eco-anxiety. They quite have a different level of stress, panic, and sadness that often gets uncontrolled. Some may say that their deliberating fear is overacting because they only talk about the planet’s future. And even if they entirely have a point, the majority of people just do not care about how they feel.

With a lot of stuff going on about the world, such as politics, entertainment, health issues, etc., people feel overwhelmed. There is not enough time to think about future problems such as climate change because everyone focuses on the present needs of everybody. But for the ones who are consumed with feelings about the environment’s future, they often question the uncertainty of everything. They usually think of what would happen if humans don’t exert any effort to save the planet.

Source: pixabay.com

But most of the time, these people’s eco-anxiety does not just pop out instantly. Usually, it gets triggered by devastating information they dig up from social media and hyped news headlines. Some of it causes catastrophic mental and emotional breakdown to those who are genuinely trying their best to make a difference. Some news information is entirely upsetting that it can make concern individuals question their roles and responsibility to the environment. In some unfortunate instances, it flares up so many negative emotions. Fortunately, there are better ways to manage people’s eco-anxiety. Here are a few.

Source: pixabay.com

Acceptance – For individuals who are too concerned about the planet, they somehow feel it is impossible to deal with environmental change. Others just feel upset and angry because not everyone is working on the same page in saving the ecosystem. Well, it is an exhausting battle because no one can force someone to do things they are not concerned about. Thus, it is vital that people should accept that others will never care for the planet the way they do. They need to realize that some individuals are not caring enough to understand the planet’s needs. They should not feel sad and angry just because others do not share the same sentiments, such as committing to helping and saving the planet. Thus, instead of forcing other people to follow them or contribute something to their advocacy, they must accept that individuals think and react differently.

Source: pixabay.com

Face Reality – Despite some people’s will to save the planet, the reality stays as is that a small percentage of individuals cannot instantly change anything. It is entirely essential to set the appropriate distinction of what the minority can do and what the majority should do. There is a significant distinction between trying to save the planet and trying to make it livable. They should understand that not everything is in their control. The entire assurance of the planet’s health does not rest on their shoulders. They should not feel sorry for themselves just because they can’t seem to change a more significant part of the world. People need to face the reality that something terrible might soon happen, and they have to be okay with it. But it does not mean they shouldn’t try and give their best to change it.

Source: pixabay.com

Change Perception – The problem with people’s eco-anxiety is its reliance on post-apocalyptic imagery of the world. The fear of these individuals comes from the idea of the “end of the world” phrase. However, we can’t blame them. As mentioned above, there are triggering factors involved in this. There is the unflattering depiction of climate change in the media, the anxiety-induced representation in books and films, as well as the unnerving stories from people who assume they know what could happen in the future. Thus, when these people try and think about the planet after picturing out the possibility of a dystopian outlook, their emotional and mental health deteriorates. To avoid that from happening, why not consider looking at things the other way around? What if people start using renewable energy? What if people begin to plant more trees as much as they build roads and houses? That particular change in point of view makes a huge difference.

Most times, when people think about the chaos and suffering that the planet is experiencing right now, they only consider two things. First is the best way to contribute to the world’s betterment by advocating zero waste materials, and second, just trying to live and use what is left of the environment. If you were to choose between these two options, where do you think you belong?

Global warming – It is one of the most serious issues affecting our world today. That is because of the modern society that became so wasteful and environmentally careless. There are too many toxins everywhere that contribute to climate change, particularly on the planetary destruction. With humanity’s insensitive agenda and selfish habits, the Earth’s life is in danger. So how can we save the planet? Here are a few simple ways you and your family can do to help stop and reduce global warming.

Source: pexels.com

Cut Down Waste – Landfills are the primary contributors of waste toxins in the world. It is where methane and other greenhouse gases piled up. As we all know, wastes from these locations are burned because that is the most convenient way to diminish the massive amount of trash. But doing so, the process releases toxic chemicals in the air, which results in global warming. To avoid that, it is much better that we try and cut down our waste by reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Reduce The Use Of Unnecessary Products – We are in a world where all of us want to live life with convenience. That explains why we often buy products regardless of our knowledge of waste contribution. The best example of it is purchasing single-used items wrapped in plastic sachets and bottles. Most of these plastic wastes are non-degradable, and our continued purchase only adds to the billions of trash that damage the environment.

Source: pexels.com

Reuse And Recycle – In line with buying products that contribute to the undeniably large amount of environmental waste, one of the things we can do to help the planet is by reusing and recycling gadgets. These include plastic bottles, containers, boxes, cups, cans, jars, and some other items from the grocery store. It would be best if we use these disposable products to fulfill the same function instead of buying new ones. Also, it would be much recognized if we consider buying eco-friendly products. And instead of putting everything in a plastic or paper bag, we should consider using washable materials.

Consider Driving A Fuel-Efficient Car – As we all know, automobiles are one of the most known contributors to this global environmental crisis. It emits tons of toxins in the air in the form of carbon dioxide pollutions. To top it up, not only the production of a single car is wasteful, but the consumption of particular oil, fuels, and electricity is way too uneconomical. But when you and your family choose to drive a fuel-efficient car, you will contribute less to the environment’s toxins.

Source: pexels.com

Drive Less Or Walk – Trying to help the planet requires determination and dedication. As for us individuals, we are more inclined to the convenience that our cars are giving us. But if our goal is to save the planet from global warming, one of the best things we can do is consider using our car less. Understandably, our vehicles are necessities these days, so using it less often might end up quite a hassle. Fortunately, we can always look for alternatives. If the distance is not that far, we can at least consider walking. If in case we need to go a couple of miles, we can ride a bicycle.

Reduce Fossil Fuel Use – Coal-burning power plants are the ones responsible for increasing the levels of greenhouse gases in the planet’s atmosphere. Fortunately, there are two ways we can reduce its use. That is by using less energy or considering an alternative. One of the best options is a non-polluting energy source such as solar and wind power. With these two natural resources does not only cater to the lesser contribution of toxins but also helps us save electricity.

Source: pexels.com

Plant A Tree – Trees are the most significant factor that can help the Earth and humanity from the damage of global warming than any other method. Plants take in carbon dioxide and use it to build their own tissues as it returns some of the nutrients to the soil in the process of sequestration. But that is not all. Plants take the toxins away from the air and release oxygen, which is beneficial for the human brain and body development. Thus, it would be highly appreciated when all of us at least try and plant one not only for the benefit of the planet but to our life’s existence as well.

Insight

Saving the planet from global warming is not easy, especially if it requires a considerable amount of lifestyle sacrifices. But we do not own the Earth, and it is our sole responsibility to take care of it up to the next thousands of generations. Therefore, we need to try our best to spread awareness. We need to educate people about the damaging effects of global warming and how we can help stop it from ruining everything. Let us all work together in doing our part.

It’s hard to see anything good come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the coronavirus outbreak caused people to remain indoors and to stop non-essential activities. As business slowed down and transportation dwindled, many areas saw lower air pollution and clearer skies. It seems that COVID-19 is good for the environment, but is this true? Regardless, the pandemic can teach us valuable lessons about air pollution affects our lives.

Source: wikimedia.org

Air Pollution Weakens Defenses

A significant cause of air pollution is the vehicles that people use to move around and transport items. Most engines produce nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, which are toxic gases that can harm your airways and lungs.

Vehicles also produce particular matter, which are notably tiny particles of soot and ash. These particles can become lodged into your lungs, causing inflammation and directly damaging the delicate respiratory tissues.

Together, gaseous emissions and particulate matter comprise most of the air pollution in urban areas. While trees and other plants can help provide cleaner air, they can’t remove all of the pollutants in the air. Mainly, they don’t absorb particulates, which are left suspended in the air. 

It also turns out that air pollution can make COVID-19 worse. People exposed to air pollution have higher death rates and are more likely to catch the infection in the first place. This observation is expected, since dirty air damages the tissues of the respiratory system. Weakened by injury, your lungs become a prime target for pathogens such as the novel coronavirus.

Air pollution directly damages your body and also makes you more likely to catch diseases. Hence, communities need to do even more to ensure that everyone has access to a clean atmosphere.

Source: pexels.com

Everything Is Interconnected

COVID-19 uses the respiratory system to invade the human body and infect other people. The virus can remain suspended in respiratory droplets, spread for several feet, and cause infection once a person inhales them. The coronavirus can also survive for hours on surfaces, allowing people to pick them up. When these people touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus can enter the body and cause illness.

To slow down transmission rates, communities implemented social distancing rules that limited the activities that people can do to essential ones. Leisure activities that require people to go outside and meet people were made off-limits. Everyone started to wear personal protective equipment, such as face masks and face shields, to protect themselves and others from the virus.

Source: pexels.com

Anything that affects daily activity is bound to change many aspects of our environment, and COVID-19 is no exception. Within weeks of implementing community quarantine, pollution levels dropped. In some heavily polluted areas, it became easier to see clear blue skies.

Aside from the drop in particulate matter and toxic gases, the rate at which the world releases carbon dioxide also decreased. Many areas experienced a reduction in electricity demand, prompting many power plants that depend on fossil fuels to pause operations temporarily. As carbon emissions cause climate change, many people acknowledged the environmental impact of COVID-19. 

The pandemic shows us how everything is interconnected. While COVID-19 is a public health issue, it changed human behavior so much that it even had an impact on the physical environment. As Steve Taylor, Ph.D., remarked, “we are not islands, but part of the ocean. We don’t live in separateness, but in connectedness.”

This interconnectedness means that there can be multiple approaches that authorities can use to fight air pollution. At the same time, it highlights the necessity of meticulous planning; any plan might have unexpected consequences.

Source: pexels.com

We Need To Take Action

While many people are relieved to know that the virus outbreaks led to cleaner air, you should know that this change is temporary. Any improvements in air quality were only because of reduced human activity. Once lockdowns ease and regular operations return, air pollution will go back to pre-COVID levels.

There’s a real possibility that air quality will deteriorate even further. As companies and governments scramble to recover, they might become less strict with environmental regulations to favor economic growth. For example, factories might run overtime, causing more emissions. If we don’t take action, we might end up with even bleaker skies than before.

The time for action is now. Air pollution makes people prone to illnesses. However, it is a problem that has multiple multidisciplinary approaches. COVID-19 shows us that communities need to be proactive if we want to have clean air that lasts.

In the 2019 pollution control event, some topics took longer hours to discuss. It is the impact of the environment on people’s health. Around the world, there have been more than millions of people that die every from a particular disease. And nearly a quarter of those reported cases are directly caused by environmental factors.

Source: pexels.com

How Unhealthy Environment Contributes To The World

An unhealthy environment where people live, work, and play can cause a lot of problems. Unfortunately, families in the low and middle-income states are the ones that get genuinely affected. And the young kids and the elderly get severely affected. That is because more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas experiences lots of stress-inducing environmental scenarios. These include heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic, poor housing constructions, air pollution, as well as limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation. Aside from that, data shows that a lot of individuals in low-income families work in an informal sector under dangerous and dirty conditions. That means a lot of individuals tend to expose themselves to poisons, radiation, chemicals, and poor hygiene practices. With all that, people obtain illness.

Source: pexels.com

With all the damages people get from the environment, it is essential to take immediate and straightforward measures to protect it so that we can protect our health. For a start, we can reduce air pollution by using sustainable fuels. It would be much better if we chose to walk or ride a bike for a couple of distances instead of driving with our cars. If we try and manage proper waste disposal, it could save our water resources. And if we consider using solar energy technology, we won’t have to suffer from our massive electric bills.

Things can continue getting worst, but we can work together to improve our world.

It only takes one glimpse into the empty streets to see just how much COVID-19 has impacted everyday life. One notable impact that a lot of people observe right now is the more transparent sky, likely due to fewer vehicles running and belching emissions. As people limited their activities and confined themselves indoors, it seems like the environment is starting to recover from human impact.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

However, don’t be fooled. Arguing that the current pandemic is healthy for the world is insensitive, considering the thousands of lives at risk due to the novel coronavirus. Any impacts will be short-lived, and the world will remain on track towards catastrophic climate change unless we do something about it. Studying the link between COVID-19 and the environment should help us learn valuable lessons on how to take care of our environment properly.

Temporary Relief

COVID-19 spreads through physical contacts, such as by inhaling droplets that infected people release whenever they cough or sneeze. To slow down transmission, communities imposed social distancing measures that reduce unnecessary contact among people. Many companies required employees to undergo remote work, reducing the use of transportation systems. Lower business activity also means lower demand for utilities such as water and electricity.

Source: wikipedia.org

Air pollution levels usually dropped in areas where people were no longer required to report to their workplaces. People also drastically reduced their need to travel. Many countries banned non-essential flights, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Many businesses whose income streams were affected had to lay off employees, establish pay cuts, or postpone promotions. The uncertainty, as well as lower revenues, forced many households to cut spending. As the economy slowed down, environmental impacts such as pollution also diminished.

The threat of a global recession has a silver lining: lower greenhouse gas emissions. The world only has around a few years left to reduce emissions. Otherwise, we will face the worst effects of climate change, which include severe weather patterns, food insecurity, and escalating tensions.

Barriers And Consequences

However, all the positive impacts of COVID-19 on the environment aren’t permanent. Once lockdowns end and the economy jumpstarts, emission rates will rise again. The air will become laden again with dust and fumes as people resume their commutes. Fossil fuel power plants will belch out carbon dioxide, worsening global warming.

The effects of social distancing measures may lead to even more environmental destruction. Governments and companies will feel the pressure to catch up with missed economic growth at any cost. To accomplish this goal, they might choose to halt environmental protections. For example, they might lift carbon taxes on fossil fuels to encourage consumption.

At worst, attempting to recover lost economic growth can offset any environmental benefits due to the global pandemic.

It’s important to note also that the response to COVID-19 clearly shows the link between the current economy and the environmental burden that humans impose on the planet. It took large-scale lockdowns and economic slowdowns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It would take an equally momentous effort to make the same impact on our environment.

The Availability Heuristic

If the current pandemic has minimal long-term impacts on environmental sustainability, then why do people keep on insisting that COVID-19 is beneficial for nature? The short-term positive results, like cleaner air, are easy to observe. People tend to put more weight on evidence that is easy to recall, so they conclude that the environment is healing due to the coronavirus outbreaks.

This tendency is called the availability heuristic. Daniel Kahneman, Ph.D., states that “people tend to assess the relative importance of issues by the ease with which they are retrieved from memory.” Unfortunately, this heuristic is a source of bias. It makes people discount the bigger picture: that any positive impacts of a pandemic aren’t likely to persist in the long term.

Moving Forward

What can we do? Dispel the notion that COVID-19 helps the planet. It is a disease that is actively disrupting our lives. The current pandemic needs to end as soon as possible, and we all need to cooperate.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Society should also move towards a more environmentally-conscious future. We don’t have to make things as they were before COVID-19 appeared. As we start to rebuild, the world should take steps to establish new economic policies that tackle programs like renewable energy transitions and sustainable growth.

Remember that COVID-19 is not the savior of the environment. We need to be accountable to our duty towards nature. The responsibility of environmental stewardship rests on the human race.

In the last 2018 pollution summit, a lot of people are wondering. How come all of us on the planet knows a lot about the damage we bring in it, but doesn’t seem to care? The problem is not about knowing what is happening. The issue here is the less and less effort we put into saving the Earth. Are we that insensitive to ignore the fact that our planet is dying?

I do not want to sound hypocrite at all, but that is the point. All of us complain about the pollution in our surroundings. We want to live in a safe and clean area, but we contribute mostly to physical trash everywhere. We love purchasing single-used items wrapped in plastic because it is more convenient. We feel comfortable using toxic chemicals for almost everything we do because that means sanitation. We ignore using our physical energy because we love riding in our not-so-eco-friendly vehicles. We want to eat healthy food, but we buy products that get manufactured by air-polluting machines from industries. We try our best to inform people about the real situation of the world, but there’s no stopping us from purchasing new phones every year. How ironic, isn’t it? We, humans, are causing damage to the planet, and we know that. But because we are more attached to convenience and instant survival, we do not care.

Yes, all of us are guilty of not caring for the planet. All of us think about the same thing. For us, what matters is the current world we are living in. We believe that future generations will have to suck up to what’s left for them. The majority of people in this world are telling everyone that they care. But in reality, no one bothers making a constant and sincere change.

Much has been said about global warming but does everyone really know what it is? We know that it’s one of the most important issues in the world today and we should know its fundamentals – what causes it, what makes it worse, and what we can actually do in our little ways.

Global Warming Defined

Global warming is the overall increase in the earth’s ocean and air temperatures. As mentioned above, it remains to be one of the most pressing mattes that the world is dealing with, especially in this era of increased industrial expansion.

Greenhouse gases keep the earth warm, and they also keep the air from getting out of the planet. However, activities like deforestation and burning fossil fuels cause these atmospheric greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide to be released into the environment. Typically, the process called short-wave radiation causes heat to enter the atmosphere. As this type of radiation heats the surface of the planet, it leaks out of the planet now in the form of long-wave radiation, which is much harder to go through the atmosphere. Atmospheric gases that escape into the air are what cause these long-wave radiations to increase. Consequently, the heat is sealed inside the earth, resulting in a universal warming effect.

What Causes Global Warming?

Some of the most common causes include the use of artificial fertilizers in farming, nitric acid production, burning of organic substances that cause the release of greenhouse gases.

What Are The Effects Of Global Warming?

When Polar Ice Melts. When ice caps melt, this will result in the desalinization of the oceans, destroying the natural ocean currents. Since these ocean currents are responsible for regulating temperatures by sending warm currents to the cooler areas and vice versa, a disruption of this process might cause severe climate change.

Wildlife Practices. The polar bear is in the list of the most endangered species today. This may be caused by a reduction of sea ice habitat due to global warming. When ice melts, these bears are stuck and often sink and die. As the melting of the ice persists, more species will add to the list of the endangered.

Famines And Floods. The heavy rains all over America can also be attributed to global warming, as warm air is more capable of pulling in more water vapor compared to cooler air. These calamities have caused the United States to lose over $25 billion. Global warming has put the economy and ultimately, our safety at risk.

What Can We Do?

Simple things like using the bicycle and purchasing biofuel for your cars will go a long way. Recycling has helped prevent global warming in more ways than one. It tremendously decreases the energy required to make new products.

Global warming is a continuous phenomenon that will progressively deplete our natural resources. It will cause more animal extinctions and further melting of the ice caps. Floods, droughts, coral damage, disease and illness, and economic blows will continue to happen. As we have no choice but to live and try our best to thrive, we must be able to learn how to slow down the process of global warming in our planet by doing those strategies mentioned above. The least we can do is start in our homes and striving to keep a balance between economic progress and environmental protection.

Any kind of pollution does not only harm the ecosystem, but it also has a tremendous negative impact on our children. According to the World Health Organization, polluted areas are among the leading causes of one in four deaths of kids below five years old. These potential dangers may not be very likely, but with the calamities and natural disasters that the United States has experienced, it seems that significant considerations should be made on preventing pollution and focusing on sustainability to help our children survive and thrive in a world of erratic climates and not-so-healthy environments.

Though pollution may not be the direct cause of distress, depression, low immune system, and abnormal brain development in growing kids have become more popular in children who live in harmful environments. Just a few years back, around 25% of children deaths could have been avoided if the risks were reduced or effectively eliminated. Polluted areas are also a threat to pregnant women as well, as it increases their likelihood of delivering prematurely or having babies that have congenital diseases. In fact, there have been reports of newborns suffering from respiratory failure and heart abnormalities because their mothers have been living in polluted homes for the period of their pregnancy.

Educating Our Children

Teaching our kids about how sustainability somehow saves the world is crucial today. Encouraging them to take care of the earth that they live in is also an equally vital part of parenting. This doesn’t only keep them from dying early or perhaps acquiring life-threatening conditions, but it is ultimately our way of trying to help preserve Mother Nature, from the trees, rivers, and lakes, down to the wildlife. Teaching them early will ensure that they will be practicing healthy and useful strategies at a young age, and soon will successfully pass these strategies on to the next generation.

• Grow A ‘Food Garden.’ You don’t have to impose that they make a farm with you in your backyard, but just a few edible plants will train them into growing their food. This is a wonderful way of showing them that it is always better to know where your food came from, and it’s most healthy when you plant them yourself. You can probably teach them composting, starting with a small worm compost initially.

• Learn Together About Carbon Footprint. Little is known about this topic, which is why you can learn more about it with your kids. When you buy food, you can talk about it while you walk together to the grocery store. At home, use plastic bottles for your small plants so they’ll know how to recycle. Slowly talk to them about renewable energy in the most elementary way, and soon they’ll know as much as you do.

• Do Volunteer Work With Your Children. This can be in the form of a tree planting activity or a neighborhood cleanup. Whatever volunteer job you do with them, don’t forget to share some insights into how communities save the earth through their little ways. Plus, it’ll help them improve their social and leadership skills!

• Go Nature Tripping. Don’t encourage them to watch television or hang out with their phones during the weekends or the holidays. Have an afternoon snack at the park or the zoo, or dip into your local waterfalls or lakes. Share with them the beauty of a clean and healthy environment, so they learn to appreciate the world they are in.

Final Thoughts

Making sure that you do your vital role as a parent and as a human who was given the gift that is the earth would be one of your greatest achievements. Hopefully, the adventures that you do with your children and your family will not only save the earth but also help you grow closer and stronger as well!

Green living is one of the most popular trends in the world today. It entails a range of engineering and construction aspects that make offices and homes more environmentally friendly compared to the traditional buildings. These aspects typically consist of procedures for saving water and energy with the use of ecologically sourced materials and utilizing renewable energy like solar power. But one of the most important benefits of an eco-friendly building is its energy-efficient feature.

Eco-Friendly Houses

An eco-friendly house, or simply an eco-house, is an ecologically low-impact house created using a kind of technology that helps decrease its carbon footprint, resulting in reduced energy needs. Thus, eco homes consume less energy compared to conventionally built homes. This aspect helps homeowners save money while helping protect the environment as well. These houses also help decrease climate change, as more than 25% of eco-friendly house gas emissions come from electricity.

Heating And Cooling

An important method in which eco houses can decrease energy consumption is by decreasing the energy that is necessary to heat or to cool the home. And green homes accomplish this in several ways, one of which is through insulation. This method prevents air from getting out and outside air from getting in. So when the air conditioner is turned on, there is the air that goes out through holes or breaks in the walls. If you want to know which area the air mostly comes out, you can do a home energy audit through thermal mapping. It is vital that as a homeowner, you do your checking of every part of your house, including attic windows, to further improve your home heating and cooling system.

Energy-Saving Home Appliances

The second most important attribute of an eco-friendly home is the use of energy-saving appliances. The EPA or the United States Environment Protection Agency measures the energy of appliances using the Energy Star Program, which ensures homeowners that their appliances are energy-efficient.

Engineering And Kind Of Materials

Another element to be considered in making your house energy-efficient happens prior and at the time of construction. These greenhouses utilize resources that are environmentally safe and were acquired through energy-efficient methods as well. For example, the materials preferred here are local so that it doesn’t need a large amount of fuel to transport them. They most likely also come from factories that operate in an energy-efficient way. And the materials are those that last relatively longer so that they don’t need to be replaced constantly, resulting in more energy use. For the homeowner, this would mean being able to save money from purchasing the materials plus lesser electricity bills.

Natural Light

The typical American household utilizes about 5 % of its energy spent on lighting. On the contrary, eco houses decrease this cost by utilizing energy-saving lighting and decreasing the need for light in the entire home as well. As an example, the architects design these homes in a way that they can benefit from the sun for heating and lighting. Placing a transparent glass on specific areas of the home reduces the need for artificial light during the day.

If artificial lights must be used, however, using halogen or LED bulbs can save tremendous amounts of energy and electricity. LED lights just need about 25% of the energy utilized by traditional bulbs, and they also last much longer – 25 times longer that is.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about eco-friendly homes, are you convinced to build one for you and your family? Let us know what you think!

A vertical garden is often interchangeably called a green living wall, which practically implies that it is alive. Technically, though, it is defined as a unique agricultural discovery that is utilized in the cities as an urban landscape as a substitute for the usual wide and sprawling backyard gardens in the country. It’s been around for quite some time now, adding beauty exquisite design to interiors across the globe for years. These vertical gardens are a testimony to wonderful architecture, engineering, and plant care.

Aside from the aesthetic aspect, vertical gardens have also proven to help the environment by purifying the air, regulating temperature, and promoting overall biodiversity in the urban areas. Living with green walls indeed makes people happier and healthier. Let’s look at several benefits of putting up vertical gardens in our urban homes.

• Vertical Gardens Decrease Stress. Residing and working in a green environment has always shown positive effects on people’s mental and emotional well-being. They promote relaxation and encourages good mood, which in turn helps reduce stress. Studies have also revealed a decrease in blood pressure, muscular activity, and heart rate just be viewing some greenery for about 5 minutes in the home or office.

• Vertical Gardens Clean The Air. In general, plants significantly improve air conditions. The long walls where plants are attached get rid of impure matter and converts carbon dioxide to oxygen. Also, experts report that plants and bacteria found in soil are capable of sucking in harmful substances and change their compositions into ones that plants can utilize as food.

• Vertical Gardens Improve Mental And Emotional Well-Being. Cleaner, healthier air leads to a better state of mind. When air is clean, there are fewer complaints of migraines, skin problems, and respiratory abnormalities. People who have grown vertical gardens in their condominium units have also experienced better focus, less anxiety, and more energy. Employees in offices with green living walls also report feeling more enthusiastic to come to work.

• Vertical Gardens Decrease Noise Pollution. These tall structures can serve as sound barriers to homes and buildings. Reportedly, these gardens absorb more than 40% of the noise that is normally not absorbed with conventional walls. Hence, homes, shops, and offices are much peaceful and very conducive to stay in.

• Vertical Gardens Encourage Productivity. Because these greeneries improve one’s mental well-being and boost mood, it most probably results in increased productivity, particularly in the workplace. Employees have clearer minds and may be more eager to provide input in projects or give interesting presentations.

• Vertical Gardens Promote Social Interaction. Working or living in a clean and green environment pulls people together and encourages them to interact with each other harmoniously. Neighborhoods have shown this to be true, where families with vertical gardens often spend the weekends having a barbeque and some bottles of beer and sharing stories. This consequently means lesser violence and vandalism.

• Vertical Gardens Offer A Space For Healing. When one is suffering from sadness, depression, or anxiety, and he is welcomed by the aroma and freshness of plants, he somehow experiences a sense of peace and healing from within. Also, a study made on cancer patients that were exposed to green living walls for a particular period showed reports of less pain from their cancer symptoms.

Conclusion

Ultimately, flowers, herbs, and plants are a form of therapy and relaxation, especially for those who are living in the city. What’s more, it provides a practical and beautiful alternative for people who have small homes or offices but wish to experience what it’s like to live clean and green.