Vertical farming is a method of growing crops in stacked layers, both vertically and horizontally. It often uses controlled-environment agriculture, which helps plants grow better, and soilless farming methods like hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. Structures that can house vertical farming systems include buildings, shipping containers, underground tunnels, and old mine shafts.
Urban ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment in cities. A city environment includes many houses and businesses, lots of paved roads, and other features that make it different from natural areas. The purpose of urban ecology is to find ways for people and nature to coexist peacefully.
Urban ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment in cities. An urban environment includes areas with many buildings where people live and work, roads and sidewalks made of hard materials, and other features that make city landscapes different. The purpose of urban ecology is to find ways for humans and nature to coexist peacefully.
Green infrastructure, or blue-green infrastructure, is a system that helps solve problems in cities and with the climate by working with nature. This system includes managing rainwater runoff, adapting to climate changes, reducing heat in urban areas, increasing plant and animal life, growing food, improving air quality, creating energy from renewable sources, providing clean water, and maintaining healthy soil. It also offers benefits for people, such as better quality of life through places to play, shade, and shelter in and around cities.
The urban heat island (UHI) effect is a weather and climate-related phenomenon where cities have much higher temperatures than nearby rural areas. The temperature difference is often greater at night than during the day and is most noticeable when winds are weak, the sky is clear, and during summer and winter. The main cause of the UHI effect is changes to the land’s surface, while heat from energy use plays a smaller role.
Soil carbon is the solid form of carbon found in soils around the world. This includes soil organic matter, which comes from plants and animals, and inorganic carbon, such as carbonate minerals. Soil carbon helps soil perform important functions in ecosystems.
Carbon sequestration is the natural process of storing carbon in a carbon pool. It is important for managing the global carbon cycle and reducing climate change by lowering the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There are two main types of carbon sequestration: biological (also called biosequestration) and geological.
Blue carbon is a term used in climate change efforts to describe how carbon moves and is stored in marine areas that can be managed. It most often refers to the ability of tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrass meadows to store carbon. These ecosystems help reduce the effects of climate change and support ecosystems that can adapt to it.
A carbon credit is a certificate that can be bought and sold. It shows that one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent (CO₂e) has been prevented from entering the atmosphere or removed from it. Carbon offsetting means using these credits to balance out the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a company, organization, or individual, as required by reporting programs or goals.
Iron fertilization is the process of adding iron to the upper part of the ocean, either naturally or intentionally. Iron helps phytoplankton grow, and these tiny plants use photosynthesis to take carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air. Phytoplankton are the main producers in the ocean, providing food for many other sea creatures.