The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a rich history, tracing its origins back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians, making it one of the oldest artisanal practices in the region.

This craft has been passed down through generations, embodying the cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity of Syrian artisans.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a hub for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, showcasing the regional importance of this art form.

The process of Syrian glassblowing involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques, which are then adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant colors.

This craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination and skill to create unique and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

The war in Syria had a devastating impact on the traditional craft of glassblowing, disrupting production and threatening the survival of this ancient heritage.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to revive and preserve the craft, ensuring its continuation in post-conflict Syria.

In recognition of its cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

UNESCO's designation highlights the urgent need to protect this craft, which is not only a testament to Syria's artistic legacy but also a vital part of its cultural identity.

The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a rich history, tracing its origins back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians, making it one of the oldest artisanal practices in the region.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

This craft has been passed down through generations, embodying the cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity of Syrian artisans.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a hub for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, showcasing the regional importance of this art form.

The process of Syrian glassblowing involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques, which are then adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant colors.

This craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination and skill to create unique and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

The war in Syria had a devastating impact on the traditional craft of glassblowing, disrupting production and threatening the survival of this ancient heritage.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to revive and preserve the craft, ensuring its continuation in post-conflict Syria.

In recognition of its cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

UNESCO's designation highlights the urgent need to protect this craft, which is not only a testament to Syria's artistic legacy but also a vital part of its cultural identity.


The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a history that spans over two millennia, originating during the time of the Phoenicians and passed down through generations.

This ancient art form is deeply rooted in Syrian culture, reflecting the ingenuity and creativity of its artisans over centuries.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a prominent center for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, contributing significantly to the preservation and evolution of the craft.

The glassblowing process involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

Artisans then decorate and color these pieces, transforming them into vibrant works of art that showcase their aesthetic sensibilities.

This craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination, precision, and skill to bring each piece to life.

The ongoing war in Syria has had a devastating impact on traditional glassblowing, disrupting workshops and displacing craftsmen from their ancestral trade.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans like Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to preserve and revive this ancient heritage.

Their efforts have been instrumental in ensuring that the knowledge and techniques of Syrian glassblowing are not lost to time.

In recognition of its cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a history that spans over two millennia, originating during the time of the Phoenicians and passed down through generations.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

This ancient art form is deeply rooted in Syrian culture, reflecting the ingenuity and creativity of its artisans over centuries.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a prominent center for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, contributing significantly to the preservation and evolution of the craft.

The glassblowing process involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

Artisans then decorate and color these pieces, transforming them into vibrant works of art that showcase their aesthetic sensibilities.

This craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination, precision, and skill to bring each piece to life.

The ongoing war in Syria has had a devastating impact on traditional glassblowing, disrupting workshops and displacing craftsmen from their ancestral trade.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans like Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to preserve and revive this ancient heritage.

Their efforts have been instrumental in ensuring that the knowledge and techniques of Syrian glassblowing are not lost to time.

In recognition of its cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.


The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a rich history, dating back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians, who are credited with its origins.

This ancient art form has been passed down through generations, becoming a cornerstone of Syrian cultural heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been renowned for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen, serving as a regional hub for the craft.

Syrian glassblowing is a highly artistic process that involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

The craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination and skill to create unique and intricate designs.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has had a devastating impact on traditional glassblowing, disrupting workshops and displacing artisans from their communities.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to preserve and revive this ancient heritage, ensuring its survival for future generations.

In recognition of the craft's cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO added Syrian traditional glassblowing to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

UNESCO's designation highlights the urgent need to protect this endangered art form, which is not only a testament to Syria's rich history but also a vital part of its cultural identity.

The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a rich history, dating back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians, who are credited with its origins.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

This ancient art form has been passed down through generations, becoming a cornerstone of Syrian cultural heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been renowned for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen, serving as a regional hub for the craft.

Syrian glassblowing is a highly artistic process that involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

The craft is considered a form of plastic art, relying heavily on the artisan's imagination and skill to create unique and intricate designs.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has had a devastating impact on traditional glassblowing, disrupting workshops and displacing artisans from their communities.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have worked tirelessly to preserve and revive this ancient heritage, ensuring its survival for future generations.

In recognition of the craft's cultural significance and the threats it faces, UNESCO added Syrian traditional glassblowing to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

UNESCO's designation highlights the urgent need to protect this endangered art form, which is not only a testament to Syria's rich history but also a vital part of its cultural identity.


The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a history that spans over two millennia, tracing its origins back to the Phoenician era, making it one of the oldest artisanal practices in the region.

This ancient craft has been passed down through generations, preserving not only the techniques but also the cultural heritage associated with it.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a prominent center for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, contributing significantly to the craft's legacy in Syria.

The artistry of Syrian glassblowing is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the nation, with artisans creating functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

The process involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into intricate forms, showcasing the artisan's imagination and technical skill.

As a form of plastic art, glassblowing in Syria relies heavily on the creativity and expertise of the craftsman, making each piece a unique expression of their artistry.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has had a profound impact on traditional crafts, including glassblowing, disrupting the livelihoods of artisans and threatening the survival of this heritage.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have been instrumental in reviving and preserving the ancient Syrian heritage of glassblowing.

Their efforts have been crucial in ensuring that the knowledge and skills of this craft are not lost to future generations.

Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard this endangered tradition, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

This recognition highlights the cultural and historical importance of the craft, as well as the need for international support to ensure its continuity.

The traditional craft of glassblowing in Syria has a history that spans over two millennia, tracing its origins back to the Phoenician era, making it one of the oldest artisanal practices in the region.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

This ancient craft has been passed down through generations, preserving not only the techniques but also the cultural heritage associated with it.

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province has historically been a prominent center for skilled glassblowing craftsmen, contributing significantly to the craft's legacy in Syria.

The artistry of Syrian glassblowing is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the nation, with artisans creating functional and decorative items such as hookah bottles, vases, plates, and antiques.

The process involves melting recycled glass at high temperatures and shaping it into intricate forms, showcasing the artisan's imagination and technical skill.

As a form of plastic art, glassblowing in Syria relies heavily on the creativity and expertise of the craftsman, making each piece a unique expression of their artistry.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has had a profound impact on traditional crafts, including glassblowing, disrupting the livelihoods of artisans and threatening the survival of this heritage.

Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans such as Yassin Arab and Hussein Najjar have been instrumental in reviving and preserving the ancient Syrian heritage of glassblowing.

Their efforts have been crucial in ensuring that the knowledge and skills of this craft are not lost to future generations.

Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard this endangered tradition, UNESCO included Syrian traditional glassblowing on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in December 2023.

This recognition highlights the cultural and historical importance of the craft, as well as the need for international support to ensure its continuity.


The global demand for avocados has surged in recent years, driven by their health benefits, versatility, and popularity as a food trend, particularly among younger demographics like Gen Z and the growing Hispanic population in the United States.

This rising demand has led to significant economic benefits for producing countries, such as Mexico, where the avocado industry employs approximately 300,000 workers and contributes billions of dollars in exports annually.

Trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement have further bolstered avocado exports, enabling Mexico to become a dominant supplier to the United States over the past few decades.

However, the environmental impact of avocado farming is substantial, particularly in regions like Michoacán, Mexico, where deforestation, soil erosion, and chemical contamination have severely damaged ecosystems.

Water usage is another critical concern, as avocado cultivation requires approximately 1,000 liters of water per kilogram, leading to water shortages and aquifer depletion in countries like Chile and Peru.

Additionally, transporting avocados to international markets contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated 5.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per kilogram of fruit.

Social issues have also emerged, particularly in Mexico, where criminal organizations have exploited the avocado trade, leading to violence, land grabbing, and displacement of indigenous communities.

Migrant workers in avocado-producing regions often face exploitation, including underpayment and poor working conditions, further highlighting the social challenges tied to this industry.

To address these issues, governments can promote sustainable farming practices, reduce water and chemical use, and enact laws to combat illegal activities while providing financial incentives to farmers.

The global demand for avocados has surged in recent years, driven by their health benefits, versatility, and popularity as a food trend, particularly among younger demographics like Gen Z and the growing Hispanic population in the United States.

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Content: For foodies, workers, restaurant owners and investors on both sides of the Rio Grande border, Friday brought a sigh of relief after the United States lifted its temporary ban on imports of Mexican avocados.

The week-long pause — albeit a short one — had fueled concerns in the avocado industry, from the workers who pick the fruit in Mexico to consumers worrying about a potential shortage of a staple in the diets of many Americans.

Mexico supplies about 80 percent of the avocados eaten in the United States. The import ban — stemming from purported threats to a U.S. inspector in the Latin American country — shook a billion-dollar industry. Not only did the commotion showcase the law enforcement issues that growers are frequently subjected to in Mexico, but experts said it underscored the importance of one of the strongest and most successful bilateral trade agreements.

Before being smeared into toast or squashed into guacamole, the avocado’s life begins in an orchard in Michoacán — a western Mexican state over a thousand miles away from the border and the only one allowed to send over avocados to the United States. From a bright-green fruit hanging atop trees to its final stage inside American kitchens, the avocado’s journey from seed to food encompasses different phases of inspections and agreements between the two nations — which suddenly took a hit.

Last week, a plant safety inspector from the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was inspecting avocados in Michoacán, when he saw some avocados that looked suspiciously like they came from another state, according to USDA and other industry experts. He raised a red flag and soon after, he received a voice-mail threat. Then the USDA announced it was shutting down imports until it could be assured its agents were safe.

The potential of an impending shortage quickly rippled across the industry — one that came shortly before the Super Bowl, one of the avocado’s biggest events. Soon, food establishments and groceries began worrying about keeping up with a demand that has exponentially increased throughout the past decade.

Prices for the fruit deemed “green gold” were already 100 percent higher than the previous year, said David Magaña, a senior analyst for RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness. But the year-long availability of avocados had also increased as well — indicating that a surge in demand can be attributed to different factors, he said.

For one, avocados, with their versatility and healthy fat attributes, became a food trend and Internet obsession. At the same time, the Hispanic population booms across the country — with a larger share of Latinos among Gen Z — have been “one of the major forces pulling the demand for avocados,” the analyst said.

But behind all those green juices and avocado Instagram-worthy photos is the partnership between Mexico and the United States — which has played a crucial role in enabling the market to expand.

In 1995 — a time when “fat-free” food staples ruled the market — the United States did not have much of a taste for avocados. The majority of the consumed fruit was produced in California. Avocado imports that year totaled $14.7 million, of which $700,000 came from Mexico, said David Orden, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech.

Mexico’s avocados had been banned in the decades before the North American Free Trade Agreement from 1994, Orden said — mostly out of a concern that weevils, scabs and other pests could enter U.S. orchards from imported products. The trade agreement opened the door for the incremental expansion of avocados.

In establishing a system in which U.S. inspectors verify that avocados are pest-free — from when they are growing in orchards to the moment they are packed into sealed trucks — Mexico has been allowed to ship its agricultural product. It started with an approved wintertime stock in Alaska back in the ’90s that has turned into a current year-long supply in all states.

“So that’s all very encouraging and great story about growth and trade agreements, and something the U.S. is trying to do in other countries as well,” Orden said.

The agreement has contributed to economic progress in both sides of the border. Last year, “the two-way food and agricultural trade reached $65 billion, including $2.8 billion in Mexican avocado exports to the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement. In Michoacán, some 300,000 workers depend on the avocado industry — including those doing the picking, the packing and the transporting of the fruit.

But their livelihoods have been threatened by encumbering cartels, who see the booming industry as a golden hen for profit, Orden said.

“It has attracted the attention of these gangs in an area where the cartels are not under control,” he said. “That’s where this story takes on a shadier color. But that’s really a law enforcement issue, and one that affects all of our relationships with Mexico.”

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said in a statement that it had worked with the Mexican government and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico to enact “additional measures” to safeguard the safety of its inspectors.

While the agency did not disclose what such measures encompass, they served to avert what could have been a costly avocado crisis — one that would had impacted plenty, from those picking the fruit to those biting into their avocado toasts.

“With this we ensure the exportation of fruit and provide economic certainty to farmers and day laborers,” Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla tweeted Friday.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

This rising demand has led to significant economic benefits for producing countries, such as Mexico, where the avocado industry employs approximately 300,000 workers and contributes billions of dollars in exports annually.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement have further bolstered avocado exports, enabling Mexico to become a dominant supplier to the United States over the past few decades.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

However, the environmental impact of avocado farming is substantial, particularly in regions like Michoacán, Mexico, where deforestation, soil erosion, and chemical contamination have severely damaged ecosystems.

Title:

Content: Avocado: Between Environmental Impacts and Global Market Controllers
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
(Getty)
In recent years, the avocado industry has become a staple in many diets around the world, and its popularity has increased greatly due to the multiple health benefits.
However, the demand for this fruit has led to harmful environmental effects and the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries.
A Chilean study published recently said that avocado cultivation has caused severe water shortages, as well as in Peru, where large farmers have dominated the avocado market since the 1990s, where cultivation requires huge amounts of water, the production of one kilogram of avocado, consumes about 1,000 liters of water, much more than other crops such as tomatoes or oranges.
According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the production of one kilogram of tomatoes requires about 300 liters of water, and the high water use of avocado production has led to water scarcity and depletion of aquifers in some areas.
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
According to the report, moving avocados from the production site to the market also has a significant impact on the climate, as avocados are grown mainly in developing countries, and are exported to developed countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan, and the transport of avocados over long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the environment. Approximately 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kg of avocado.
Avocado production has also led to the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries, where the avocado mafia operates mainly in Mexico, where it controls the production and export of avocados, and this mafia, according to media reports, consists of criminal organizations that use violence and intimidation to control the production and distribution of avocados, and often extort money from farmers. The avocado mafia uses violence to eliminate competitors and dominate the export market, as studies have shown that these gangs are responsible for deforestation, land grabbing and violence against indigenous communities in Mexico.
According to dozens of studies published in recent years, avocado cultivation also has negative effects on local communities. In some areas, demand for avocados has led to land grabbing, community displacement, labor exploitation, and avocado cultivation in the Mexican state of Michoacán has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and the exploitation of often paid migrant workers. Some studies have shown that the expansion of avocado cultivation has displaced traditional crops, leading to food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
According to the study, governments around the world can take various measures to mitigate the impact of this agriculture on the climate, and one way is to promote sustainable avocado farming practices that reduce water use and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect the environment, provide financial incentives to farmers and enact laws that will deter illegal and criminal practices in these countries.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Water usage is another critical concern, as avocado cultivation requires approximately 1,000 liters of water per kilogram, leading to water shortages and aquifer depletion in countries like Chile and Peru.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Additionally, transporting avocados to international markets contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated 5.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per kilogram of fruit.

Social issues have also emerged, particularly in Mexico, where criminal organizations have exploited the avocado trade, leading to violence, land grabbing, and displacement of indigenous communities.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
increased criminal activity
displacement of local communities

Migrant workers in avocado-producing regions often face exploitation, including underpayment and poor working conditions, further highlighting the social challenges tied to this industry.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

To address these issues, governments can promote sustainable farming practices, reduce water and chemical use, and enact laws to combat illegal activities while providing financial incentives to farmers.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?


The popularity of avocados has surged in recent years, driven by their reputation as a nutrient-dense superfood and their inclusion in a variety of diets worldwide.

Over the past decade, the demand for avocados has grown exponentially, reflecting a broader trend toward health-conscious eating and plant-based diets.

Avocados are particularly valued for their versatility in culinary applications and their high content of healthy fats, which have made them a prominent food trend.

In the United States, the growing Hispanic population, especially among younger generations like Gen Z, has been a significant factor in the rising demand for avocados.

This increasing global appetite for avocados has had profound economic implications for producing countries, particularly Mexico, which is the world's largest exporter of the fruit.

Mexico’s avocado industry supports approximately 300,000 workers, encompassing roles in harvesting, packing, and transportation.

The economic partnership between Mexico and the United States has been bolstered by avocado trade, with Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. valued at $2.8 billion annually.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted in 1994, played a pivotal role in facilitating the expansion of avocado imports from Mexico to the United States.

In 1995, avocado imports to the United States were valued at $14.7 million, with Mexico contributing a modest $700,000, highlighting the dramatic growth in trade over the years.

However, the environmental costs of avocado farming have become increasingly apparent, particularly in regions like Michoacán, Mexico, which produces about 80% of the world's avocados.

In Michoacán, avocado cultivation has led to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources due to chemical use.

The water-intensive nature of avocado farming is a major concern, with one kilogram of avocados requiring approximately 1,000 liters of water, far exceeding the water needs of crops like tomatoes or oranges.

In countries like Chile and Peru, the high water demand of avocado farming has exacerbated water shortages, impacting local communities and ecosystems.

The depletion of aquifers and water scarcity in avocado-producing regions have been highlighted by organizations such as the Water Footprint Network.

Transporting avocados from developing countries to markets in developed nations contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 5.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per kilogram of avocados.

The expansion of avocado farming has also displaced traditional crops in some areas, leading to food insecurity and a loss of biodiversity.

Social issues in avocado-producing regions have further complicated the picture, with the emergence of criminal organizations in Mexico that control production and distribution through violence and intimidation.

These criminal groups are implicated in deforestation, land grabbing, and acts of violence against indigenous communities, exacerbating social tensions in avocado-growing areas.

In Michoacán, the expansion of avocado farming has displaced indigenous communities and exploited migrant workers, who are often underpaid and work in poor conditions.

To address these challenges, governments can promote sustainable avocado farming practices by reducing water and chemical use, offering financial incentives to farmers, and enacting laws to deter illegal activities.

The popularity of avocados has surged in recent years, driven by their reputation as a nutrient-dense superfood and their inclusion in a variety of diets worldwide.

Title:

Content: Avocado: Between Environmental Impacts and Global Market Controllers
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
(Getty)
In recent years, the avocado industry has become a staple in many diets around the world, and its popularity has increased greatly due to the multiple health benefits.
However, the demand for this fruit has led to harmful environmental effects and the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries.
A Chilean study published recently said that avocado cultivation has caused severe water shortages, as well as in Peru, where large farmers have dominated the avocado market since the 1990s, where cultivation requires huge amounts of water, the production of one kilogram of avocado, consumes about 1,000 liters of water, much more than other crops such as tomatoes or oranges.
According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the production of one kilogram of tomatoes requires about 300 liters of water, and the high water use of avocado production has led to water scarcity and depletion of aquifers in some areas.
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
According to the report, moving avocados from the production site to the market also has a significant impact on the climate, as avocados are grown mainly in developing countries, and are exported to developed countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan, and the transport of avocados over long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the environment. Approximately 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kg of avocado.
Avocado production has also led to the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries, where the avocado mafia operates mainly in Mexico, where it controls the production and export of avocados, and this mafia, according to media reports, consists of criminal organizations that use violence and intimidation to control the production and distribution of avocados, and often extort money from farmers. The avocado mafia uses violence to eliminate competitors and dominate the export market, as studies have shown that these gangs are responsible for deforestation, land grabbing and violence against indigenous communities in Mexico.
According to dozens of studies published in recent years, avocado cultivation also has negative effects on local communities. In some areas, demand for avocados has led to land grabbing, community displacement, labor exploitation, and avocado cultivation in the Mexican state of Michoacán has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and the exploitation of often paid migrant workers. Some studies have shown that the expansion of avocado cultivation has displaced traditional crops, leading to food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
According to the study, governments around the world can take various measures to mitigate the impact of this agriculture on the climate, and one way is to promote sustainable avocado farming practices that reduce water use and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect the environment, provide financial incentives to farmers and enact laws that will deter illegal and criminal practices in these countries.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Over the past decade, the demand for avocados has grown exponentially, reflecting a broader trend toward health-conscious eating and plant-based diets.

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Content: For foodies, workers, restaurant owners and investors on both sides of the Rio Grande border, Friday brought a sigh of relief after the United States lifted its temporary ban on imports of Mexican avocados.

The week-long pause — albeit a short one — had fueled concerns in the avocado industry, from the workers who pick the fruit in Mexico to consumers worrying about a potential shortage of a staple in the diets of many Americans.

Mexico supplies about 80 percent of the avocados eaten in the United States. The import ban — stemming from purported threats to a U.S. inspector in the Latin American country — shook a billion-dollar industry. Not only did the commotion showcase the law enforcement issues that growers are frequently subjected to in Mexico, but experts said it underscored the importance of one of the strongest and most successful bilateral trade agreements.

Before being smeared into toast or squashed into guacamole, the avocado’s life begins in an orchard in Michoacán — a western Mexican state over a thousand miles away from the border and the only one allowed to send over avocados to the United States. From a bright-green fruit hanging atop trees to its final stage inside American kitchens, the avocado’s journey from seed to food encompasses different phases of inspections and agreements between the two nations — which suddenly took a hit.

Last week, a plant safety inspector from the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was inspecting avocados in Michoacán, when he saw some avocados that looked suspiciously like they came from another state, according to USDA and other industry experts. He raised a red flag and soon after, he received a voice-mail threat. Then the USDA announced it was shutting down imports until it could be assured its agents were safe.

The potential of an impending shortage quickly rippled across the industry — one that came shortly before the Super Bowl, one of the avocado’s biggest events. Soon, food establishments and groceries began worrying about keeping up with a demand that has exponentially increased throughout the past decade.

Prices for the fruit deemed “green gold” were already 100 percent higher than the previous year, said David Magaña, a senior analyst for RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness. But the year-long availability of avocados had also increased as well — indicating that a surge in demand can be attributed to different factors, he said.

For one, avocados, with their versatility and healthy fat attributes, became a food trend and Internet obsession. At the same time, the Hispanic population booms across the country — with a larger share of Latinos among Gen Z — have been “one of the major forces pulling the demand for avocados,” the analyst said.

But behind all those green juices and avocado Instagram-worthy photos is the partnership between Mexico and the United States — which has played a crucial role in enabling the market to expand.

In 1995 — a time when “fat-free” food staples ruled the market — the United States did not have much of a taste for avocados. The majority of the consumed fruit was produced in California. Avocado imports that year totaled $14.7 million, of which $700,000 came from Mexico, said David Orden, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech.

Mexico’s avocados had been banned in the decades before the North American Free Trade Agreement from 1994, Orden said — mostly out of a concern that weevils, scabs and other pests could enter U.S. orchards from imported products. The trade agreement opened the door for the incremental expansion of avocados.

In establishing a system in which U.S. inspectors verify that avocados are pest-free — from when they are growing in orchards to the moment they are packed into sealed trucks — Mexico has been allowed to ship its agricultural product. It started with an approved wintertime stock in Alaska back in the ’90s that has turned into a current year-long supply in all states.

“So that’s all very encouraging and great story about growth and trade agreements, and something the U.S. is trying to do in other countries as well,” Orden said.

The agreement has contributed to economic progress in both sides of the border. Last year, “the two-way food and agricultural trade reached $65 billion, including $2.8 billion in Mexican avocado exports to the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement. In Michoacán, some 300,000 workers depend on the avocado industry — including those doing the picking, the packing and the transporting of the fruit.

But their livelihoods have been threatened by encumbering cartels, who see the booming industry as a golden hen for profit, Orden said.

“It has attracted the attention of these gangs in an area where the cartels are not under control,” he said. “That’s where this story takes on a shadier color. But that’s really a law enforcement issue, and one that affects all of our relationships with Mexico.”

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said in a statement that it had worked with the Mexican government and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico to enact “additional measures” to safeguard the safety of its inspectors.

While the agency did not disclose what such measures encompass, they served to avert what could have been a costly avocado crisis — one that would had impacted plenty, from those picking the fruit to those biting into their avocado toasts.

“With this we ensure the exportation of fruit and provide economic certainty to farmers and day laborers,” Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla tweeted Friday.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Avocados are particularly valued for their versatility in culinary applications and their high content of healthy fats, which have made them a prominent food trend.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

In the United States, the growing Hispanic population, especially among younger generations like Gen Z, has been a significant factor in the rising demand for avocados.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

This increasing global appetite for avocados has had profound economic implications for producing countries, particularly Mexico, which is the world's largest exporter of the fruit.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Mexico’s avocado industry supports approximately 300,000 workers, encompassing roles in harvesting, packing, and transportation.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

The economic partnership between Mexico and the United States has been bolstered by avocado trade, with Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. valued at $2.8 billion annually.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted in 1994, played a pivotal role in facilitating the expansion of avocado imports from Mexico to the United States.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

In 1995, avocado imports to the United States were valued at $14.7 million, with Mexico contributing a modest $700,000, highlighting the dramatic growth in trade over the years.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

However, the environmental costs of avocado farming have become increasingly apparent, particularly in regions like Michoacán, Mexico, which produces about 80% of the world's avocados.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

In Michoacán, avocado cultivation has led to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources due to chemical use.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

The water-intensive nature of avocado farming is a major concern, with one kilogram of avocados requiring approximately 1,000 liters of water, far exceeding the water needs of crops like tomatoes or oranges.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

In countries like Chile and Peru, the high water demand of avocado farming has exacerbated water shortages, impacting local communities and ecosystems.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

The depletion of aquifers and water scarcity in avocado-producing regions have been highlighted by organizations such as the Water Footprint Network.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Transporting avocados from developing countries to markets in developed nations contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 5.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per kilogram of avocados.

The expansion of avocado farming has also displaced traditional crops in some areas, leading to food insecurity and a loss of biodiversity.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities

Social issues in avocado-producing regions have further complicated the picture, with the emergence of criminal organizations in Mexico that control production and distribution through violence and intimidation.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

These criminal groups are implicated in deforestation, land grabbing, and acts of violence against indigenous communities, exacerbating social tensions in avocado-growing areas.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
increased criminal activity
displacement of local communities
political tension

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

In Michoacán, the expansion of avocado farming has displaced indigenous communities and exploited migrant workers, who are often underpaid and work in poor conditions.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

labor exploitation
land grabbing
displacement of local communities

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

To address these challenges, governments can promote sustainable avocado farming practices by reducing water and chemical use, offering financial incentives to farmers, and enacting laws to deter illegal activities.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?


Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance indoor environments through both aesthetic and functional benefits.

One of the most significant advantages of green walls is their capacity to improve air quality by reducing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by approximately 40% and 60%, respectively.

In specific settings like classrooms, green walls have been shown to lower fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by about 10% and ozone (O3) concentrations by 30%, contributing to healthier indoor air.

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and energy-efficiently, relying on self-circulation without the need for electricity.

Beyond air purification, vertical gardens play a role in temperature regulation, helping to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions within indoor spaces.

This temperature regulation can lead to lower heating and cooling costs, making green walls a sustainable choice for homeowners seeking energy efficiency.

In addition to environmental benefits, green walls can positively impact mental health by creating a calming and visually appealing atmosphere that promotes relaxation and well-being.

For homeowners concerned about maintenance, there are several plant options suitable for green walls that require minimal upkeep, such as Dragon Tubeh, Junzi Bamboo, Wu Bamboo, Turtle Vine, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle.

These low-maintenance plants are adaptable to various indoor climates, making them ideal for vertical gardens in diverse home settings.

By combining aesthetic appeal with practical benefits like air purification, temperature regulation, and mental health improvements, vertical gardens offer a compelling solution for homeowners seeking to create a healthier and more sustainable living space.

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance indoor environments through both aesthetic and functional benefits.

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Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

One of the most significant advantages of green walls is their capacity to improve air quality by reducing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by approximately 40% and 60%, respectively.

In specific settings like classrooms, green walls have been shown to lower fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by about 10% and ozone (O3) concentrations by 30%, contributing to healthier indoor air.

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and energy-efficiently, relying on self-circulation without the need for electricity.

Beyond air purification, vertical gardens play a role in temperature regulation, helping to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions within indoor spaces.

This temperature regulation can lead to lower heating and cooling costs, making green walls a sustainable choice for homeowners seeking energy efficiency.

In addition to environmental benefits, green walls can positively impact mental health by creating a calming and visually appealing atmosphere that promotes relaxation and well-being.

For homeowners concerned about maintenance, there are several plant options suitable for green walls that require minimal upkeep, such as Dragon Tubeh, Junzi Bamboo, Wu Bamboo, Turtle Vine, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle.

These low-maintenance plants are adaptable to various indoor climates, making them ideal for vertical gardens in diverse home settings.

By combining aesthetic appeal with practical benefits like air purification, temperature regulation, and mental health improvements, vertical gardens offer a compelling solution for homeowners seeking to create a healthier and more sustainable living space.


Vertical green walls, also known as living walls, are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance indoor air quality by significantly reducing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by approximately 40% and 60%, respectively.

These installations have been shown to lower fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels by about 10% and ozone (O3) concentrations by 30%, making them particularly effective in environments like classrooms where air quality is critical.

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and efficiently without the need for electricity, relying on self-circulation to cleanse the air.

In addition to improving air quality, vertical gardens contribute to temperature regulation within indoor spaces, which can lead to energy conservation and a reduction in carbon emissions.

For homeowners seeking low-maintenance options, plants such as Dragon Tubeh, Junzi Bamboo, Wu Bamboo, Turtle Vine, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are ideal choices for green walls.

Vertical green walls, also known as living walls, are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance indoor air quality by significantly reducing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by approximately 40% and 60%, respectively.

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

These installations have been shown to lower fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels by about 10% and ozone (O3) concentrations by 30%, making them particularly effective in environments like classrooms where air quality is critical.

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and efficiently without the need for electricity, relying on self-circulation to cleanse the air.

In addition to improving air quality, vertical gardens contribute to temperature regulation within indoor spaces, which can lead to energy conservation and a reduction in carbon emissions.

For homeowners seeking low-maintenance options, plants such as Dragon Tubeh, Junzi Bamboo, Wu Bamboo, Turtle Vine, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle are ideal choices for green walls.


Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, are increasingly integrated into urban environments to balance development with conservation by introducing green spaces into densely built areas.

These installations offer significant environmental benefits, such as improving air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 40%, particulate matter (PM10) by 60%, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by 10%, and ozone (O3) by 30%.

In Taichung City, green walls have been implemented in schools to enhance indoor air quality, retain dust, and absorb air pollution, creating healthier and more peaceful learning environments.

Beyond air purification, green walls contribute to temperature regulation by cooling building surfaces and reducing surrounding temperatures, which aids in energy conservation and carbon reduction.

For instance, rooftop gardens can lower a building's surface temperature by 6 degrees Celsius and the ambient temperature by 4 degrees Celsius, demonstrating their role in mitigating urban heat islands.

The mental health benefits of vertical gardens are also notable, as they create calming environments that promote well-being, as seen in their use in educational settings in Taichung.

To ensure the success of vertical gardens, plant selection is critical, with species like Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, and Honeysuckle being cost-effective and requiring minimal maintenance.

In regions with extreme climates, introducing heat-resistant plants can improve the resilience of green walls, as demonstrated by annual reviews and horticultural adjustments in urban projects.

Overall, vertical gardens represent a sustainable innovation in architecture, offering aesthetic appeal, environmental benefits, and improved quality of life while requiring thoughtful maintenance and plant selection.

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, are increasingly integrated into urban environments to balance development with conservation by introducing green spaces into densely built areas.

Title:

Content: More construction owners apply for subsidies to increase the garden high-rise green space area doubled in 10 years
Font Size:
Our high-rise green space has increased significantly, more than doubling in size over the past 10 years, from 60 hectares in 2013 to 155 hectares.
In addition to more new builders incorporating high-rise green spaces or rooftop gardens into their blueprints, more and more owners of older buildings are applying to the National Park Service for subsidies to add or convert their roofs into green spaces.
In an interview with the Lianhe Zaobao, the senior director of the National Park Service's landscaping department, Sophie Ann, revealed that since 2009, about 300 projects have applied for grants for high-rise green spaces or vertical landscaping.
Owners who receive the allowance must ensure that the green space of the tall building is maintained for at least five years.
According to the Park Service, only five applicants no longer maintain green spaces for high-rise buildings due to financial or other factors.
The Park Service annually reviews whether the green spaces in tall buildings are still lush and provides horticultural advice when needed, such as introducing heat-resistant and heat-resistant landscape plants to replace poorly grown flowers and trees.
The Park Service would not disclose how much subsidy has been allocated so far, but stressed that the purpose of the subsidy is to encourage more owners to pay attention to the benefits of high-rise green space, in line with Singapore ’ s 2030 Green Plan, to implement the vision of 200 hectares of high-rise green space.
In fact, many builders choose to set up garden green space in tall buildings or rooftops, or plant vertical flowers and trees in the outer layer of the building, while greening the building environment of steel cement, it also saves energy costs for cooling indoor space.
Rooftop gardens can "cool" the surface of a building by 6 degrees Celsius and reduce the surrounding temperature by 4 degrees Celsius, Sufian said.
In addition, when the solar panel is placed on the roof, if green plants are also planted below it, the solar panel can be prevented from overheating and the charging efficiency can be improved.
More intensive planting of various plants along the roadside
Green buildings such as vertical greening are a topic of concern in recent years, and integrating green space and natural habitat in new towns and residential areas can be one of the compromise solutions to balance urban development and conservation, and offset the plundering and depletion of the natural environment by development projects.
About 40 percent of Singapore's land area is covered by green vegetation, many of which are naturally formed forests in the past half century.
After the urban development of the 1970s, many rural and agricultural land was cleared, and tropical tree species that are easier to reproduce and grow quickly were planted, and many sub-forests were scattered everywhere.
Over the years, the Park Service has also grown more dense and numerous plants per hectare of road land than in the past.
In the past, most of the plants on both sides of the road were of the same species. "This is not a wise move, because if a certain species of tree is infected, it will affect a lot of trees," said Mr Woo Chao-shing, Senior Director of Roads and Landscape of the Park Service.
As a result, over the years, more diverse species of shrubs and trees have been added to create a sense of stratification along roadsides or open spaces, attracting more butterflies and birds, etc. “And this will improve the fragmentation of green spaces caused by urbanization, strengthen ecological cohesion, repair roads and increase the destruction of nature by building more houses. ”
"When cities develop, we have to compensate by planting more plants in the same area of green corridors, or by choosing plants that grow faster to get back to the lush feeling of the past as soon as possible," Hu said.
To this end, the Park Service launched the rewilding project three years ago, deliberately ignoring the green corridors of 24 locations, reducing the number of routine pruning of branches and weeds and creating a sense of overgrown grass.
"We deliberately allow nature to grow freely, increasing its biodiversity and saving manpower, as long as it does not block the entrance of drainage channels or obstruct the passage of pedestrians," Hu said.
However, some residents are concerned about mosquito breeding, and "we will consider it on a case-by-case basis before deciding whether to expand the area under the plan."
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These installations offer significant environmental benefits, such as improving air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 40%, particulate matter (PM10) by 60%, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by 10%, and ozone (O3) by 30%.

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

In Taichung City, green walls have been implemented in schools to enhance indoor air quality, retain dust, and absorb air pollution, creating healthier and more peaceful learning environments.

Beyond air purification, green walls contribute to temperature regulation by cooling building surfaces and reducing surrounding temperatures, which aids in energy conservation and carbon reduction.

For instance, rooftop gardens can lower a building's surface temperature by 6 degrees Celsius and the ambient temperature by 4 degrees Celsius, demonstrating their role in mitigating urban heat islands.

The mental health benefits of vertical gardens are also notable, as they create calming environments that promote well-being, as seen in their use in educational settings in Taichung.

To ensure the success of vertical gardens, plant selection is critical, with species like Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, and Honeysuckle being cost-effective and requiring minimal maintenance.

In regions with extreme climates, introducing heat-resistant plants can improve the resilience of green walls, as demonstrated by annual reviews and horticultural adjustments in urban projects.

Overall, vertical gardens represent a sustainable innovation in architecture, offering aesthetic appeal, environmental benefits, and improved quality of life while requiring thoughtful maintenance and plant selection.


Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, represent a significant innovation in sustainable architecture, blending environmental conservation with urban development by integrating green spaces into densely populated areas.

These installations are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance urban aesthetics while providing practical environmental benefits such as air purification, temperature regulation, and improved mental well-being.

One notable example of vertical gardens in practice is the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau's initiative, which introduced clean air green walls in schools to improve indoor air quality and foster a peaceful learning environment.

These green walls, installed in areas like classroom corridors and flower stands, have demonstrated their capacity to retain dust, absorb air pollutants, and regulate indoor temperatures effectively.

Research has shown that vertical green walls can significantly reduce harmful air pollutants, including a 40% reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a 60% reduction in particulate matter (PM10), a 10% reduction in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and a 30% reduction in ozone (O3).

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and energy-efficiently, requiring no electricity while achieving self-circulation for air purification.

In addition to improving air quality, vertical gardens contribute to temperature regulation by cooling building surfaces and reducing surrounding temperatures, which can lead to significant energy savings.

For instance, rooftop gardens have been found to lower building surface temperatures by up to 6 degrees Celsius and reduce the ambient temperature by 4 degrees Celsius.

Green walls also play a role in adjusting indoor temperatures, thereby supporting energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions.

Beyond their environmental benefits, vertical gardens have a profound impact on mental health and well-being, as evidenced by their use in schools to create calming and conducive learning environments.

The selection of plants for vertical gardens is critical to their success, with factors such as climate adaptability, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness playing key roles.

In Taichung, commonly used plants for green walls include Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle, which are chosen for their resilience and minimal maintenance needs.

To ensure the long-term viability of vertical gardens, regular maintenance is essential, including the periodic review of plant conditions and the introduction of heat-resistant species to replace underperforming vegetation.

The integration of vertical gardens into urban architecture not only addresses environmental challenges but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of buildings, making them a valuable addition to sustainable design practices.

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls, represent a significant innovation in sustainable architecture, blending environmental conservation with urban development by integrating green spaces into densely populated areas.

Title:

Content: More construction owners apply for subsidies to increase the garden high-rise green space area doubled in 10 years
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Our high-rise green space has increased significantly, more than doubling in size over the past 10 years, from 60 hectares in 2013 to 155 hectares.
In addition to more new builders incorporating high-rise green spaces or rooftop gardens into their blueprints, more and more owners of older buildings are applying to the National Park Service for subsidies to add or convert their roofs into green spaces.
In an interview with the Lianhe Zaobao, the senior director of the National Park Service's landscaping department, Sophie Ann, revealed that since 2009, about 300 projects have applied for grants for high-rise green spaces or vertical landscaping.
Owners who receive the allowance must ensure that the green space of the tall building is maintained for at least five years.
According to the Park Service, only five applicants no longer maintain green spaces for high-rise buildings due to financial or other factors.
The Park Service annually reviews whether the green spaces in tall buildings are still lush and provides horticultural advice when needed, such as introducing heat-resistant and heat-resistant landscape plants to replace poorly grown flowers and trees.
The Park Service would not disclose how much subsidy has been allocated so far, but stressed that the purpose of the subsidy is to encourage more owners to pay attention to the benefits of high-rise green space, in line with Singapore ’ s 2030 Green Plan, to implement the vision of 200 hectares of high-rise green space.
In fact, many builders choose to set up garden green space in tall buildings or rooftops, or plant vertical flowers and trees in the outer layer of the building, while greening the building environment of steel cement, it also saves energy costs for cooling indoor space.
Rooftop gardens can "cool" the surface of a building by 6 degrees Celsius and reduce the surrounding temperature by 4 degrees Celsius, Sufian said.
In addition, when the solar panel is placed on the roof, if green plants are also planted below it, the solar panel can be prevented from overheating and the charging efficiency can be improved.
More intensive planting of various plants along the roadside
Green buildings such as vertical greening are a topic of concern in recent years, and integrating green space and natural habitat in new towns and residential areas can be one of the compromise solutions to balance urban development and conservation, and offset the plundering and depletion of the natural environment by development projects.
About 40 percent of Singapore's land area is covered by green vegetation, many of which are naturally formed forests in the past half century.
After the urban development of the 1970s, many rural and agricultural land was cleared, and tropical tree species that are easier to reproduce and grow quickly were planted, and many sub-forests were scattered everywhere.
Over the years, the Park Service has also grown more dense and numerous plants per hectare of road land than in the past.
In the past, most of the plants on both sides of the road were of the same species. "This is not a wise move, because if a certain species of tree is infected, it will affect a lot of trees," said Mr Woo Chao-shing, Senior Director of Roads and Landscape of the Park Service.
As a result, over the years, more diverse species of shrubs and trees have been added to create a sense of stratification along roadsides or open spaces, attracting more butterflies and birds, etc. “And this will improve the fragmentation of green spaces caused by urbanization, strengthen ecological cohesion, repair roads and increase the destruction of nature by building more houses. ”
"When cities develop, we have to compensate by planting more plants in the same area of green corridors, or by choosing plants that grow faster to get back to the lush feeling of the past as soon as possible," Hu said.
To this end, the Park Service launched the rewilding project three years ago, deliberately ignoring the green corridors of 24 locations, reducing the number of routine pruning of branches and weeds and creating a sense of overgrown grass.
"We deliberately allow nature to grow freely, increasing its biodiversity and saving manpower, as long as it does not block the entrance of drainage channels or obstruct the passage of pedestrians," Hu said.
However, some residents are concerned about mosquito breeding, and "we will consider it on a case-by-case basis before deciding whether to expand the area under the plan."
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These installations are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance urban aesthetics while providing practical environmental benefits such as air purification, temperature regulation, and improved mental well-being.

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Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

One notable example of vertical gardens in practice is the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau's initiative, which introduced clean air green walls in schools to improve indoor air quality and foster a peaceful learning environment.

These green walls, installed in areas like classroom corridors and flower stands, have demonstrated their capacity to retain dust, absorb air pollutants, and regulate indoor temperatures effectively.

Research has shown that vertical green walls can significantly reduce harmful air pollutants, including a 40% reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a 60% reduction in particulate matter (PM10), a 10% reduction in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and a 30% reduction in ozone (O3).

Unlike traditional air purification systems, green walls operate naturally and energy-efficiently, requiring no electricity while achieving self-circulation for air purification.

In addition to improving air quality, vertical gardens contribute to temperature regulation by cooling building surfaces and reducing surrounding temperatures, which can lead to significant energy savings.

For instance, rooftop gardens have been found to lower building surface temperatures by up to 6 degrees Celsius and reduce the ambient temperature by 4 degrees Celsius.

Green walls also play a role in adjusting indoor temperatures, thereby supporting energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions.

Beyond their environmental benefits, vertical gardens have a profound impact on mental health and well-being, as evidenced by their use in schools to create calming and conducive learning environments.

The selection of plants for vertical gardens is critical to their success, with factors such as climate adaptability, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness playing key roles.

In Taichung, commonly used plants for green walls include Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle, which are chosen for their resilience and minimal maintenance needs.

To ensure the long-term viability of vertical gardens, regular maintenance is essential, including the periodic review of plant conditions and the introduction of heat-resistant species to replace underperforming vegetation.

The integration of vertical gardens into urban architecture not only addresses environmental challenges but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of buildings, making them a valuable addition to sustainable design practices.