Climate

Plants can be used to alleviate the severe temperatures our cities experience. While providing shade, plants also cool cities by evaporating water through their leaves into the atmosphere.

Plants also help to control the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For plants CO2 is not a waste product but a raw material:  plant food.

Air

Plants purify air. While taking in carbon dioxide, plants absorb air particulates, which is then processed into oxygen through photosynthesis.

Water

Plants capture, absorb and filter stormwater. They hold water for soil to trap, absorb, and filter out pollutants, while recharging groundwater supplies.

Healthy, robust root systems absorb water to sustain vegetative growth. These root systems also create an anchor and prevent floods in periods of inundation.

Health

Plants enhance quality of life in cities and towns and make people feel better. For example, hospital patients with plants in their rooms were more positive and had lower blood pressure and stress levels. Scientific studies tell us how urban greening improves human health and well-being in many ways.

Biodiversity

The more plant, insect and animal species there are in one area the greater the biodiversity and the healthier the ecosystem.

Bees and butterflies play a vital role in the pollination of plants and the production of crops.

Economy

Working with nature leads towards a more resource efficient, competitive and greener economy. It helps to create new jobs and economic growth, through the manufacture and delivery of new products and ecosystem friendly services.