How to Tackle Climate Change in the Garden

Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, warning the public that the earth’s oceanic and frozen regions are at risk if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced significantly and quickly.

The ocean serves as a carbon sink and has absorbed much of the greenhouse gas emissions we’ve been pumping into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. Now, however, it is reaching a tipping point. Climate change has resulted in ocean acidification, sea level rise, and glacier melt, and if we do not act soon, the IPCC warns that major sectors of society will be affected.

While the government is slow to act, eliciting frustration from many, the public can help. Keep reading to learn how to tackle climate change in the garden.

Assist with Migration

One way you can tackle climate change in the garden is by supporting native species. Due to rising temperatures, many native species of plant are beginning to suffer. Native plants play a significant role in the environment, providing food and shelter to native animals and insects, especially pollinators. Additionally, they support biodiversity, which is rapidly declining. By migrating native species to environments in which they will be well-suited, gardeners can help protect these plants from dying out.

It is important to remember, however, that native species, when relocated, can become invasive species. When relocating plants, pay attention to the ecosystem. Are there pollinators and other animals that will benefit from the plant’s presence? Will the plant dominate the surrounding flora?

Don’t choose a non-native plant for your yard because of its appearance; choose it because it will thrive and support the ecosystem.

Reduce Fossil Fuels

As of 2017, the commercial and residential sector accounted for 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. According to research, a majority of these emissions came from fossil fuels burned using appliances and heat.

To cut back on fossil fuel emissions, gardeners can reduce or eliminate their use of gas-guzzling machines, such as leaf blowers, chainsaws, weed-wackers, and lawn mowers.  Opt for more eco-friendly options, such as raking leaves and weeding by hand.

Plant more Trees

We’ve all heard that, to tackle climate change, we must stop cutting down trees.

Trees, like oceans, store carbon from the atmosphere. Due to raging forest fires, however, sequestered carbon has been released back into the atmosphere, further contributing to climate change. In order to absorb more of the carbon in the atmosphere, gardeners can plant trees in their own yards.

Tip: bigger trees can store more carbon.

If you can’t plant trees in your own yard, find out if your community is hosting any tree-planting events. These can be fun opportunities to meet other earth-loving people in your community and to learn more about your region’s ecosystem.

Build Healthier Soil

Many people hold the belief that climate change is a myth, but for those of us who have experienced a shift in what was once a stable weather pattern, it is very real.

For instance, rain has become much more abundant and frequent in some parts of the country, causing severe flooding. This is bad news for gardeners and homeowners alike, whose soil can become eroded from heavy rainfall. (Did you know that eroded soil can cause damage to your property?)

Luckily, there are ways you can support your soil’s health in order to reduce both erosion and greenhouse gas emissions.

By adding organic matter to your soil, such as composted food or leaves, you can sequester carbon, absorbing it from the atmosphere. This carbon will reduce erosion by allowing the soil to retain more water. Additionally, when dry spells hit following heavy rainfall, the soil will have retained enough water to stay hydrated. Not only will this help tackle climate change; it was also help you personally. 

Use an Eco-Friendly Fertilizer

Fertilizer is essential to any gardener. Yet many conventional fertilizers are harmful to the environment, as they contain chemicals and salts that pollute our water and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Solid fertilizers tend to clump together into nitrogen hotspots, and rather than being absorbed by plants, they are washed into rivers and streams via runoff. This leads to nutrient pollution, which can cause algae blooms and kill aquatic life. Additionally, plants have a hard time absorbing these fertilizers, which results in excess fertilizer use.

Many, however, do not realize that only 50 percent of the nitrogen in fertilizer is absorbed by plants while the other 50 percent is absorbed by soil microbes, which convert this nitrogen into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Adding excess fertilizer to the soil will only result in the release of more greenhouse gases.

xVital, our eco-friendly liquid fertilizer, eliminates these issues. Due to its liquid form, xVital is easily absorbed by plants, reducing nutrient pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, because it is salt- and chemical-free, it does not pollute the environment.

In addition to being eco-friendly, xVital is an excellent source of nutrition for plants, offering various benefits, including:

  • Reduced rot, fungus, and algae
  • Optimal pH balance
  • Healthier, greener plants
  • No pollution

xVirity is committed to supporting sustainable gardeners. While politicians don’t seem to be acting on climate change quickly enough, the everyday gardener can make a difference. Starting from the ground up, we can tackle climate change in the garden. To order your first bottle of xVital and help support action against climate change, visit our shop.

 

Source:

Climate Change Comes to your Own Backyard 

 

 

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