Environmental pollution is a serious threat that can adversely affect normal environmental processes that are essential to maintain life. Major forms of pollution include air pollution, water pollution, plastic pollution, noise pollution, soil contamination, among many others. In order to solve the problem in pollution, some companies are coming up with innovative solutions and product alternatives. Companies such as Saltwater Brewery, Skipping Rocks Lab, and MakeGrowLab are ingeniously producing eco-friendly packaging alternatives to reduce plastic pollution. Sportswear manufacturer Adidas is also producing shoes out of recycled ocean plastics and confiscated fishing nets. While the global campaign in fighting plastic pollution is underway, the problem in air pollution is yet to be addressed. One green tech company, however, is offering a solution to minimize the risk of air pollution. And that is the CityTree.
Green City Solutions aims to improve air quality in cities worldwide by offering creative solutions for a sustainable living. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 90% of all city dwellers are breathing in polluted air every day. Reports show that around 7 million people die annually due to air pollution. Over one-third of deaths from lung cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory disease is caused by exposure to air pollution. And one-quarter of deaths from ischaemic heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases is linked to air pollution. Hence, reducing air pollution in cities could save 7 million lives each year.
With this in mind, Green City Solutions came up with a functional solution to address this environmental issue. Gas emissions from cars and chemicals from factories are unlikely to be stopped now. And the only solution is to create something that can reduce the pollutants in the air. Planting trees is the most ideal answer due to the fact that trees take up nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from the atmosphere. But considering the limited urban space, planting trees becomes an unattainable feat. But hope is not yet lost. Green City Solutions embraced the fact that only trees can solve the problem. So, they created a compact bench that has the air cleaning capabilities of 275 trees. And that’s how the CityTree came to be.
The CityTree, a compact bench containing moss cultures, has the air cleaning capabilities of 275 trees
The CityTree bench contains different types of moss cultures that serve as natural air purifiers. Just like trees, mosses are also capable of binding nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from the air. Moreover, these small green plants only take up 1% of the space that trees typically take up. In order to install the first CityTree, the bio-tech company teamed up with the Crown Estate to launch the project in London. And in March 2018, the first CityTree was finally installed on Glasshouse Street near Picadilly Circus.
The first CityTree was installed on Glasshouse Street in London
With the support of @CityWestminster & @EvergenCleanAir, we are proud to launch London’s first #citytree on Glasshouse St. Using breakthrough technology, the tree delivers 275x the air cleaning capability of a single tree ?https://t.co/Jss993Fdw3 pic.twitter.com/OHVHNq7aXS
— The Crown Estate (@TheCrownEstate) March 16, 2018
“As one of central London’s major landowners, we want to play our role in improving London’s air quality to ensure our city remains a brilliant place for everyone who lives, works and visits here,” James Cooksey, Director of the Crown Estate, explains. “There is no simple solution, so alongside our work to reduce carbon emissions from our buildings and reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, we want to test and learn from new technology.”
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Mosses naturally require sufficient water and certain level of temperatures to survive. In order to sustain the moss cultures, the CityTree is equipped with smart technology that automatically monitors water quality, air temperature, and pollution levels around the plants. It has a built-in automatic irrigation system for optimum watering and a controllable ventilation technology to meet temperature requirements. London serves as the starting line for this innovative solution to combat air pollution. Green City Solutions is looking to set up the CityTree in all major cities where air pollution has already reached alarming levels.
Green City Solutions aims to set up the CityTree in all cities worldwide
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Source: Green City Solutions | Instagram