#greenercities — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #greenercities, aggregated by home.social.
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UK - Key plants for a #ClimateChange garden
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Thursday, 24 November 2022 at 11:30 am
Take a look at our pick of key plants to grow in a changing climate.
"With temperatures and levels of pollution on the rise, plants can help gardens and gardeners thrive in changing times.
"This might seem like a daunting prospect, but the good news for gardeners is that there are steps we can take at a local level to help ease the effects of these big issues.
"While we can use drought-tolerant plants to cope in raised temperatures, the long-term solution lies in reducing the heat. Some plants have been proven to actively improve the #microclimate of a garden and surrounding buildings. For example, plants like #jasmine, #EnglishIvy and #viburnum are able to cool a building by between 7-14ºC. Plants can also trap pollution by absorbing particulate matter. #Conifers have been found to be especially good at this due to their smaller leaf size and shape.
"On top of this, the more ecologically resilient we can make our gardens with increased planting, the better they will serve us as places to relax, reduce stress and improve our mental well-being."
Read more:
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/key-plants-for-a-climate-change-garden/#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #ClimateChangeAdaptation #KeepingCool #DroughtTolerantPlants #GreenerCities
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#Aotearoa / #NewZealand - The case for #WildlifeCorridors, bridges & belts
Connected networks of vegetated or aquatic spaces that enable movement of species across fragmented urban landscapes.
Excerpt: "#ClimateChange – #VegetatedCorridors contribute to #UrbanCooling and #microclimate regulation, supporting #ClimateAdaptation benefits alongside #biodiversity outcomes.
#HumanWellbeing – Access to connected, #biodiverse #GreenSpaces is associated with improved psychological wellbeing and restorative experiences.
#Freshwater security – Riparian and #BlueGreenCorridors can improve #stormwater attenuation, #WaterQuality, and #flood #resilience while supporting aquatic and terrestrial connectivity."Read more:
https://aotearoabiodivercity.org/design-strategies/green-wildlife-corridors-bridges-and-belts/#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation #GreenerCities #GreenCorridors #WildlifeCrossing #WaterIsLife #NatureHeals #SpendTimeInNature #Greenspaces
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This #FirstNations horticulturist Indigenizes plant spaces in B.C.
#ShaylaChalifoux sub-consults for landscape architects on incorporating #NativePlants
Edzi'u Loverin · CBC News · Posted: Nov 14, 2025
Excerpt: "According to the province of B.C., plant biodiversity in #BritishColumbia is unmatched in Canada, with at least 2,500 native vascular plant species, in addition to thousands of lichens, mosses and fungi.
"Individuals can help support the land by planting native plants in pots on their balconies and gardens, said Chalifoux.
" 'Why would you plant a native plant here? Because host nations have a relationship with that, or this specific plant is a host plant for a larva, a native butterfly, that needs to eat only this plant to survive,' said Chalifoux.
" 'The land is hurting. One way we can help the land is by incorporating native plants.'
"Chalifoux said though things are changing, not many municipalities have policies to ensure a percentage of native plants are included in city landscaping.
"#CBCIndigenous asked the City of #Vancouver if it had any policies around the number of native plants required to be planted in urban planning.
"A City of Vancouver spokesperson said in a statement that the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is working to increase native plants in #UrbanSpaces and considers a number of factors in planning, including maintenance, resilience, and canopy cover, and consults with local #FirstNations.
"A prime example of this is the addition of #PacificYew to the Stanley Park Restoration initiative, upon receiving feedback from local First Nations," said the statement.
"The city said it has also provided native plants for #EcologicalRestoration in Vancouver parks to non-profits and community groups that hold community planting events."
Full article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenize-plant-spaces-in-b-c-9.6978056#SolarPunkSunday #VancouverBC #FirstNations #GreenerCities #GardeningForPollinators #Biodiversity #Canada #RestoreNature #ContainerGardening
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How to keep your house cool during #NewEngland #HeatWave
by Bailey Allen
June 30, 2026"As a heat wave approaches Massachusetts, residents may be looking for ways to keep their homes as cool as possible.
"The National Weather Service is predicting 'extreme heat and humidity' across most of southern New England, except the Berkshires and the Cape and Islands, from Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3.
"Temperatures are expected to rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (and heat index values around 111 degrees) near the end of the week.
"The weather service recommends drinking plenty of water and staying in an air-conditioned space to reduce the effects of the heat on the body.
Here are some tips for those without air conditioning or looking for ways to lower indoor temperatures during the upcoming 'dangerous heat.'"Here are some tips to help keep your home cool during the upcoming New England heat wave, according to Boston Emergency Management:
- Install an air conditioner and use ceiling or standing fans to improve airflow. However, electric fans will not prevent #HeatRelatedIllness, the City of Boston said.
- Weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cool air inside.
- Reflect heat back outside by installing temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, between windows and drapes.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sunlight with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a home by up to 80%, according to Boston Emergency Management.
- See if you can have a tree planted on the sidewalk in front of your home for free. Cities including Boston, Worcester, Quincy, Lowell, and Springfield offer free street tree planting programs.
- Limit the use of your stove and oven, which can increase indoor temperatures.Visit cooling centers if your home can't get cool
"If your home doesn't have air conditioning or isn't staying cool enough, Boston Emergency Management recommends taking breaks in air-conditioned places such as shopping malls, #PublicLibraries, or public #CoolingCenters.
"In Boston, cooling centers include swimming pools, #SplashPads , and community centers. Residents can call 2-1-1 to find cooling locations across #Massachusetts."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/B1iBq#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #KeepCool #ClimateChange #ExtremeHeat #KeepingCool #GreenerCities #MoreTrees #LibrariesRule!
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Urban Edible Gardening 101: How to Grow Food in Small Spaces (Balcony, Patio, Apartment)
Your Backyard Farmer
Sep 22, 2024"Did you know that 55% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, making urban edible gardening more pertinent than ever? If you’ve got a small balcony, patio, or windowsill, you can join this growing movement and start producing fresh, chemical-free food. With techniques like container and vertical gardening, you can maximize every square inch of your limited space. Imagine harvesting your herbs, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes from your apartment. Therefore, how do you begin transforming your urban space into a thriving garden? Let’s investigate the fundamentals.
Our Quick Highlights
- Use #ContainerGardening and #VerticalGardening to maximize space on balconies and patios.
- Select compact, fast-growing plants suitable for small spaces, like herbs, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes.
- Ensure 6-8 hours of sunlight exposure and proper drainage for optimal plant health.
- Incorporate organic gardening practices and companion planting to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Utilize self-watering systems and moisture monitoring to maintain consistent soil moisture."Learn more:
https://yourbackyardfarmer.com/urban-edible-gardening/#SolarPunkSunday #UrbanFarming #UrbanGardens #CityAgriculture #GreenerCities #GrowYourOwn
#GrowYourOwnFood #BalconyGardens
#RooftopGardens #ContainerGardening #UrbanFarms #SelfSufficiency #GrowLocal -
#UrbanFarming: The Ultimate Guide to #Sustainable #CityAgriculture
January 23, 2024
"Urban farming is an exciting movement transforming cityscapes into productive green spaces, fundamentally changing how urban dwellers interact with their food and environment. This guide is your journey into the world of urban agriculture, where the concrete jungle meets the nourishing practice of cultivation. Right across our cities – on balconies, rooftops, in community plots, and even indoors – people are rediscovering the satisfaction of growing their own food.
"This isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s a meaningful shift towards more sustainable and self-reliant urban living. Whether you have a sprawling backyard (a rarity in most cities!) or just a sunny windowsill, this guide provides the horticultural know-how you need. We’ll cover the basics, explore different techniques suitable for city growing, suggest crops that thrive in urban settings, and delve into the many rewarding benefits – from harvesting your own fresh, nutritious produce to lessening our collective reliance on long-distance food transport.
"We’ll explore practical, innovative ways to make the most of limited space, turning overlooked corners into thriving mini-farms. Are you a seasoned gardener looking to adapt your skills to an urban context? Or perhaps a complete beginner, curious about sticking a seed in some soil? Wherever you are on your gardening journey, this guide aims to inspire and empower you. Urban farming is more than growing plants; it’s about cultivating a greener lifestyle and contributing to a more resilient future for our cities. Let’s dig in!"
Read more:
https://seedy.farm/urban-agriculture/urban-farming-ultimate-guide#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPunk #GreenerCities #UrbanGardens #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #BalconyGardens #RooftopGardens #ContainerGardening #CommunityGardens #MiniFarms #UrbanFarms #SelfSufficiency #GrowLocal
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Related link: #NYC - The First Comprehensive #UrbanAgriculture Map
"One of MOUA’s first priorities was building a complete picture of urban agriculture across the city, and making that information available to the public. The office created the Urban Agriculture Data Explorer Hub, an interactive platform that maps food production across all five boroughs. The tool has cataloged 2,580 sites so far: #SchoolGardens, #UrbanFarms, #CommunityGardens, #IndoorAgriculture businesses, and underutilized city-owned land. Users can sort by borough, zip code, land management type, and food production status, then click on individual locations for more detail. The platform will eventually also track wellness programs, commercial activity, and climate mitigation efforts. Its crowdsourced design allows community members to contribute information that official records miss, creating a more complete picture over time."
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/7d3e668dfcdd4bce93275dae44fcd3dd
#SolarPunkSunday #GreenerCities #UrbanFarms #UrbanGardens #FarmersMarkets #FarmToTable #FoodSecurity #NYC
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Alrighty then... I'll be boosting and re-posting a few SPS posts from yesterday, but I wanted to leave you all with this very #SolarPunk story. TY to @MaQuest and @BrambleBearSnoring and everyone else who used the hashtag. We'll be back at it next #SolarPunkSunday!
Three Years In, New York’s #UrbanAgriculture Office Has Delivered
by Haley Schusterman, January 20, 2026
"Three years in, the office is delivering on its full mandate. It built its own relationships with community leaders and advocates, launched education programs connecting students to working #farms, opened pathways for #SmallFarmers to sell to city institutions, mapped the city’s urban agriculture landscape, and pushed for procurement reform that could redirect how the city spends its food dollars. The office is working to change how eight million #NewYorkers grow, buy, and think about food, using urban agriculture as a lever for #ClimateAction, #EnvironmentalJustice, #FoodAccess, workforce development, and economic #resilience."
Read more:
https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/three-years-in-new-yorks-urban-agriculture-office-has-delivered/#GreenerCities #UrbanFarms #UrbanGardens #FarmersMarkets #FarmToTable #FoodSecurity #NYC