# Vertical Gardens: A Comprehensive Report for Homeowners

## Introduction

Vertical gardens or green walls are becoming increasingly popular in environmental design and architecture for their aesthetic and environmental benefits.

As a homeowner looking to enhance your living space, this report explores the practical benefits of indoor green walls, including air purification, temperature regulation, and mental health impact, along with maintenance needs and suitable plant selections.

## Practical Benefits of Indoor Green Walls

### Air Purification

Indoor green walls serve as natural air purifiers, significantly improving indoor air quality.

Plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, but they also remove harmful toxins from the air.

Research has shown that certain plants can eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne pollutants, creating a healthier living environment.

This air-cleaning capability is particularly valuable in urban settings where indoor air quality can be compromised by building materials, cleaning products, and outdoor pollutants that enter the home.

### Temperature Regulation

Green walls provide natural thermal regulation for

# Vertical Gardens: A Comprehensive Report for Homeowners

## Introduction

Vertical gardens or green walls are becoming increasingly popular in environmental design and architecture for their aesthetic and environmental benefits.

Title:

Content: How do we protect bees from the heat and secure the global food supply?
Climate change | DW | 28.09.2022
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Environment and climate
How do we protect bees from the heat and secure the global food supply?
As temperatures rise to record levels in summer, plants find it difficult to produce nectar and pollen, limiting the ability of bees to pollinate their flowers.
Researchers have come up with ways that can help agriculture adapt to a hotter world.
Bees struggle to survive and pollinate plants as climate changes and record heat
As summer officially ended in the northern hemisphere, and spring began a few days ago in its south, butterflies and bees, in cooperation with other armies of pollinators, from bats to beetles, continue to do their best to pollinate flowers, which later turn into the food we eat.
They play a vital role in ensuring that store shelves are filled annually with nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Plants, on the other hand, do not sit idly by and offer some “temptations, ” such as high-energy nectar flowers and precious pollen, to ensure that bees and other pollinators are attracted to them.
But just as we suffer from the high temperatures of summer, plants and pollinators suffer the same.
All flower crops, from rapeseed to cranberries, struggle to produce nectar and pollen in the same quality and quality as they used to, to ensure that bees continue to be attracted to them, and thus ensure that they reproduce safely.
At the same time, bees are forced to search and travel longer distances, in search of suitable nutrients, which also ensure their safe reproduction.
It's a vicious circle.
While reducing fossil fuel consumption in the long term is the most effective and necessary solution in the face of high temperatures, there are still some measures that can alleviate the heat of the atmosphere.
Protecting Bees and Crops in the Heat
The “shading ” strategy is one of the strategies that can regulate soil temperature as heat intensifies at the peak of summer. It has proven effective in increasing the yield of floral vegetable crops, which means that the pollen production level of these plants has been maintained.
Also, covering the soil with layers of sawdust helps to maintain its moisture level and reduce its temperature during periods of extreme heat.
In general, experts advise limiting the use of fertilizers as temperatures rise, so that energy is directed to producing high-quality nectar, rather than being consumed in the matter of protecting the plant itself.
Researchers say growing genetically diverse crops helps plants evolve better, becoming more adapted to climate extremes.
This strategy is effective in maintaining pollinator diversity on plants, as well as controlling pests and diseases, maintaining soil health, and biodiversity.
Crops are unable to withstand high temperatures and droughts.
How does heat negatively affect flower nectar and pollen?
About 80% of all agricultural crops and wild flowering plants in the EU depend heavily on animal pollination.
Some 3.7 billion euros ($3.8 billion) of the EU ’ s annual agricultural output is directly dependent on the success of pollinator armies, such as bees, in their mission.
In a 2021 study of how climate change affects bees ’ handling of crops, the researchers found that “rising temperatures and water stress affect both the quantity and content of flower resources in crops that are dependent on bees for pollination. ”
The study stated that "when the effect of heat and water stress on the borage plant, for example, which grows widely in Europe, was observed, the levels of sugar, amino acid content in the nectar of its flower, and even the overall nectar volume decreased by 80%."
The decline in sugar in flower nectar means, by extension, "less tempting" for pollinators, such as honeybees, who will likely prefer to ignore such flowers and not pay attention to them.
Bee reproduction depends on pollen.
Fewer sugar in flower nectar means a negative impact on the performance of bees during their flight, according to experts.
Gina Walters, a researcher at Michigan State University who studies interactions between bees and plants, explains that “bees tend to prefer sugar-rich nectar to protein-rich nectar in their search for food, as sugar provides them with carbohydrates and energy needed to fly and fly. ”
Pollen is not only used to fertilize plants, but also to feed bee larvae, one of the most prominent problems facing plants stressed by rising temperatures, where they produce less.
Not only are pollen limited to fewer offspring in the future, it may also cause more males in younger generations than females.
The problem, according to Walters, is that "females are the primary pollinators of plants, so their declining population means fewer crops in the future, and even fewer bees, as there will not be enough females to mate and lay eggs."
As “female vaccination services ” continue to decline, the cycle of crop decline will continue unabated.
Scientists develop plants that are more resistant to heat
Create heat-resistant agricultural systems
Constantly rising temperatures have created an urgent need to develop more heat-resistant crops, and various strains of pollen, to ensure the continuation of bee pollination and reproduction tasks.
In this, a scientific study proved that wild plants are more resistant to heat, compared to others, where the content of nectar in their flowers, despite water and heat stress, was affected less.
Researchers recommend planting such flowers near other crops, as this method has proved effective in improving crop productivity in general, after wild flowers boosted bee visits to the region in general.
At the same time, scientists are working to develop new strains of pollen that are more heat-resistant, and plant genes that are able to resist stress in general, to ensure that the quality of the reproduction and pollination process is maintained.
For Walters, a good understanding of the impact of heat stress on crop pollinators is key to creating what she and her team call “future heat-resistant farming systems. ”
Stuart Brown / M.E.

Title:

Content: Agriculture and the return to nature is a means of emptying and healing whose impact is greater than we imagine
20.11.2021 02: 16 PM
Watan- Report: Reem Barakat
What comes to mind when we hear about farming and gardening?
When most of us hear the term agriculture, we quickly think of the food we eat from the goods of the land, such as vegetables and fruits of various kinds, and if we consider the term more and what agriculture means to us, we remember the four seasons of the year and the varieties of each season, and its need for different factors to support its growth according to the season such as water, sun, humidity and many other factors.
And let us not forget the peasants of this land, who work continuously throughout the year and their special and special knowledge of it, which not everyone can delve into and feel its greatness.
This is generally what most people think of when they mention agriculture, but there is something fundamental about it that is hidden to those whose feet have never set foot in the soil and whose hands have never been mixed with it, whether for the purpose of planting or harvesting or simply sitting with our bare feet on this earth as God created it, without any barriers between us and it.
I hope that the information provided is just a reminder to all of us of our humanity and that we were created from this earth, and this is not by chance, as the further away from the earth, the further away from the essence of our creation and the oblivion away from the importance of breaking the barriers in which man began to build since the age of technology to forget his origin and live a fast life in which he hardly remembers himself.
Early Awareness of the Importance of Therapeutic Nature
One of the first people to believe in the importance of gardens and nature for human health was environmental psychologist Roger Alrich, who studied the effects of environmental aesthetics on a group of people under great psychological pressure, a group of patients in a hospital in the early 1970s.
His study was one of the first purely scientific studies to fall under the topic, involving two groups of patients who had undergone gallbladder surgery.
While recovering, the first group was placed in a bed next to a window overlooking green trees and nature, and the second group was placed in a bed next to a window overlooking a concrete wall.
The result of the study was that the first group had a faster recovery period than the second, had less impact on them, and needed lower doses of pain medication after the operation.
The nurses and doctors had a positive impression of the patients in the first group after the operation, as they were in a good mood, while the second group dealt negatively and were in a bad mood, and needed constant encouragement in order to get through this stage.
Awareness of the importance of green spaces, agriculture and land work has recently become greater than before, especially in health institutions, as exposing patients to the effects of the positive environment helps speed up their treatment period, and thus means less hospital stay and thus relieves a lot of financial burdens on them.
Not only that, but often the side effects caused by prescription drugs make taking them a source of hesitation for many people, especially since many of them do not completely cure or rather do not address the problem at its root.
In a recent American study, which was based on a growing problem in the United States, namely the increasing rates of chronic diseases in the population such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, in addition to mood disorders such as depression, concluded that there are high rates in adults of depression, obesity and diabetes, but what is worse is the doubling of the proportion of children affected by these diseases today compared to the 1990s.
When we think about the reason for these large percentages, we will find that the nature of life in this era is very different from the nature of life in the previous era, as the figures indicate that the average time spent by children in America behind a screen is about 8 hours a day, and these many hours are a direct cause of laziness among the children of this generation, laziness itself is the cause of many diseases and health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.
The spread of these chronic diseases is not unique to America, we see it in our Arab countries a lot and we see the huge amount of hours spent by our children behind the screens of television and smart phones, for reasons we are not discussing in this article, but it is a big problem that must be dealt with as soon as possible, in order to save the next generation from the repercussions of rapid digital life and what it does to our bodies in the long term.
What is the role of going out into nature in solving these health problems or trying to avoid them at all?
Treatments that involve going out to nature and associated events have become popular in many places, and a prescription prescribed by doctors has become a solution to many health problems.
These programs, which prescribe nature as a treatment, at the same time motivate people to go out to parks and green places in general and take advantage of these facilities, especially in countries that are interested in providing such spaces.
Horticulture therapy is simply a science based on the use of plants and the natural world to improve the psychological, social, physical and mental well-being of individuals involved in this type of therapy.
There are three types of programs that rely on treatment through gardening: professional, therapeutic and social.
Occupational therapy programs aim to develop employment-friendly abilities and skills, and may include rehabilitation, especially in cases undergoing recovery from a specific injury, illness or disability.
Therapeutic programs are designed to assist in the process of comprehensive and integrated recovery of the individual, while social programs focus on gardening as a means to support the general condition of the individual, and be the favorite hobby to practice in his free time.
The beauty of horticulture therapy is that there is no need for outdoor green spaces only to complete this type of treatment, but it can be done both outside and inside, whether by paving the soil and land for planting outside, by sitting on a bench in the garden, by planting in bottles in enclosed spaces, or by walking in the forest.
These activities can also be adapted to different people, their needs and abilities, and can be individual or in groups.
GREEN ACTIVITIES
I suggest some examples of specific activities that are used in horticultural therapy and illustrate the purpose of each activity.
Activities can be very simple, such as digging into the soil with simple tools such as an axe, so that the individual chooses the tool they prefer.
During the excavation process, it is possible to discuss the feelings of the person, or what he sees in the soil and its components and preferably to leave it on his own so that no particular method of excavation or the like is imposed on him.
The goal of this therapeutic activity or action lies in several areas, such as recognizing the soil, reducing and redirecting hostile behavior or excessive activity, reducing stress and anxiety, and doing physical activity, as well as hand-eye coordination.
This activity may benefit many groups, but has been shown to be particularly successful in people with autism and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.
Another activity that can be carried out is the search for a natural treasure suitable for groups and in different seasons of the year, so that the supervisor of the event takes pictures of some of the plants in the garden before the event, and then prints and wraps them with transparent adhesive. During the event, he distributes them to the participants and encourages each participant to find a companion in this task.
Treasure hunters then set out on their mission to look for the plants they see in the cards that were distributed to them, and in this task they may find these plants and may find other plants or new discoveries of interest to them.
In all cases, the moderator motivates participants to talk about their experience and observations regarding plants. This event aims to introduce participants to the different plants that grow in their surroundings, stimulate teamwork, physical activity and draw attention to the changing seasons and what this means in the plant world.
One of the very simple but very important activities is to bring a group of participants to an appropriate external space, so that each person chooses a comfortable place to sit and close his eyes, and then ask them to listen carefully to all the sounds around them, and after a certain period draw everything they heard, whether it is a bird, a sound of water, a car, a cat, etc.
This activity helps in the process of concentration, creativity and listening deeply to what is going on around them.
Grounding process Earthing / Grounding
One of the most important and simplest activities that a person may do for himself and his health is to go out into a space with soil, take off his shoes, and let his feet touch the ground-soil in what is called a grounding process.
Grounding is the process by which his body comes into contact with the electrical charges of the earth, and this contact has many health benefits.
This contact helps maintain the balance of the body ’ s organs at a very deep level, reduces inflammation, pain and stress, improves blood flow and energy and helps with deeper sleep, creating a renewed state of overall health.
The impact that the grounding process creates is deep, systematic and often develops rapidly.
Grounding is not limited to the presence of soil, but can take place on any natural surface of God ’ s creation such as hashish, gravel, stone, and sand.
It is also possible to do this internally with certain grounding devices such as power-conducting mats or pads that a person can place while sleeping or sitting.
In general, grounding restores an old language of communication of man with the earth, a language that has been forgotten by modern man immersed in the new way of life, and this simple practice is important in the treatment of many problems, which is scientifically believed that the reason for their existence is more or less due to the lack of electrons in the human body, and this is a big topic in itself and we may address it in a special article later.
In the end, our body and our health are our most precious possessions, and it is important to preserve them so that this great body continues to give us the great experience of life.
These are simple things that we can do on a daily basis: listening to the sounds of nature around us, walking through trees, touching the soil, simple things, but the impact on our physical, psychological and social health is far greater than we can imagine.
The concept of agriculture means for most of us the goods of the earth, such as vegetables and fruits of various kinds.
If we reflect more on the term and what agriculture means to us, we recall the four seasons of the year and the varieties for each season, and their need for different factors to support their growth according to the season such as water, sun, humidity and many other factors.
But there is something fundamental about agriculture that is hidden to those whose feet have never set foot in the soil and whose hands have never intermingled with it, whether for the purpose of planting or harvesting, or simply to sit with our bare feet on this earth, as God created it, without any barriers between us and it.
This article discusses the importance of gardens and nature for human health, as it addresses many of the pathological symptoms, and shows us the effects of environmental aesthetics on a group of people under great psychological pressure.
Environment and Development Perspectives
Design & Development

Title:

Content: Sunday, 15 October 2023 08: 09 GMT
Winter renews fears of using environmental pollutants as an alternative to heating fuels in Ajloun
(MENAFN- Alghad Newspaper)
Amer Khattatba
Ajloun – On the eve of winter, there are renewed fears among environmental stakeholders in Ajloun that the start of heating fuels could harm the environment and threaten forests, calling for the search for solutions and measures to mitigate the effects of the use of these alternatives.
These concerns are driven by the expectation that forests will be increasingly encroached on to obtain firewood, and that poor families will be forced to ignite harmful and environmentally damaging materials in their stoves, such as plastic, clothes, shoes and old vehicle tires.
Abu Issa, who suffers from difficult financial conditions, says that he relies on what he collects from wood and what “agriculture ” offers them in some seasons for free from modest quantities of these confiscated wood, stressing that he knows many families, such as Hala, who are unable to buy fuel. Kaz, Solar and Gas due to their high prices, forcing them to ignite harmful substances in firewood stoves that raise toxic and polluting fumes to the surrounding environment, such as kawchuk pieces, shoes, clothes, plastics and other flammable materials, suggesting that poor families and beneficiaries of the national aid be provided with quantities of heating fuel free of charge. During the winter, or sell them at reduced prices.
Mohammed Al-Qudah confirms that alternative heating methods for fuel materials in Ajloun governorate, such as firewood and peat, have become for years a haven for poor families, to escape the high fuel prices, but the high prices of firewood and peat are also, until their costs are approaching the prices of fuel, making them unable to buy them. Pushing the poor to search for wood in the middle of the forests, and the use of environmentally harmful substances in their heaters.
He pointed out that the solutions lie in distributing firewood collected by the Directorate of Agriculture to the poor, and that the government, through social development and national aid distribute coupons to them to buy fuel at prices commensurate with their incomes.
Ahmed Eid believes that the inability of many families to buy heating fuel and go to buy firewood and peat, caused their prices to rise, pointing out that the price of a ton of firewood reaches at these times before the winter of each year between 130 and 150 dinars, while the price of a ton of peat, which is not available now, is sold at a price ranging between 80 and 100 dinars.
He suggested that the government encourage and open the way for traders wishing to import wood from abroad and sell it in shops, because this decision will contribute to reducing the prices of wood, and eliminate the phenomenon of encroachment on forest trees for the purpose of trading them, ensuring that their prices remain low, and reduce the abuse of forests from wood mafia, and selling them on the black market at high prices.
Activist Youssef Moumni stresses that the winter in Ajloun lasts for five months, which makes the family need on average about 1,000 dinars to provide heating throughout the winter days during which the temperatures are very low, especially in the high areas, such as Ashtefina, Ras Munif, Rock, Abin and Samta.
He stressed that this situation places an additional burden on many poor families, especially with the high prices of firewood and peat, which they resorted to in previous years because of low prices or free access.
According to official environmental estimates, firewood heating has become one of the main means relied on by many residents within the province, so that experts estimate about 40% of homes in the province, which has become dependent on fireplaces with external combustion such as firewood and peat stoves.
Environmental activist Eng. Khaled Ananza warned of the seriousness of the environmental impact of these stoves if poor families are forced to use materials such as clothes, plastic, damaged tires and any free flammable material that finds its way to wood heaters, which causes the emission of foul, toxic and harmful to the environment. To such practices is the cold weather during the winter in the province, and the inability of many of them to buy oil derivatives.
He explained that the seriousness of the use of household waste of plastics, polystyrene, clothing and many others for heating purposes negatively affects the environment and therefore on the human person himself, in addition to the animal and plant; since the smoke caused by the burning of these waste is toxic and can leak especially into the home, Stoves with poor workmanship, as they pollute the air with chemicals, and thus pollute rain, stressing that solutions must be found to this growing phenomenon.
For his part, the Director of Environment in Ajloun Governorate, Dr. Meshaal Al-Fawaz, confirmed that the use of plastic waste in the heating of the house and its nylon bags, and the fact that some families cut the tires of old cars and put old shoes, wool, nylon and polyester clothes is very dangerous to health and the environment. Flammable materials, so that it increases the heat of the heating inside, and when exiting from high temperature through the heating exits (bays) to the outside, where the temperatures are very low, these fumes and fumes turn into toxic gases or into vapors gases or solid particles of different sizes scattered in the air. These substances will affect the external environment of the home and the human and animal close to these fumes.
Al-Fawwaz stressed that there is no regulatory body that has the ability to follow up those stoves that use wood or materials dangerous to the environment, as there are many such wrong practices among many residents, especially in remote villages.
The statistics of "Agriculture" indicate that the proportion of forests in Ajloun province constitutes a third of the province 's area of 419 square kilometers, in addition to thousands of dunums of green agricultural areas covered with fruit trees and plants, where forest trees are widely concentrated in the lands of Ajloun, Ishvina, Anjar, Kafranja, Sous forests and Arjan and Shafa.
In turn, the Director of Agriculture of the province, Eng. Hussein Al-Khalidi, said that the quantities of wood collected from the remnants of government construction and fires, or seized by foresters and protection workers in different areas, reached an average in previous years to about 400 tons, so that they were sold at reduced prices to people with limited income from the province, and to beneficiaries of the aid fund. This year due to increased control and reduced fires, stressing that any quantities that will be available at the Haraj Istvina station will be the same as what happened in previous seasons.
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Content: Nicolletto
World mood booster))))))
Coffee grounds and 8 more natural fertilizers that will help save domestic plants
In winter, it is especially difficult to maintain the health and beauty of plants.
Lack of sunlight, dry air, temperature changes, short light days - all this adversely affects the condition of flowers.
So that the plants do not wilt, Novate.ru offers to take note of a few simple and effective life hacks for care.
The approach to each flower should be individual.
Some require abundant watering, others rare; some like shade, and some need constant exposure to sunlight.
Do not forget about fertilizing the soil, maintaining a certain level of nutrients, timely transplantation.
And plants will greatly help the top dressing that is at your fingertips.
We talk about them in more detail.
1.
Ash
Ashes can be collected from the fireplace. / Photo: otoplenie-vdome.ru
At first glance, the advice to fertilize the soil with ash may seem strange, but the results say that it is really effective.
If you notice that the leaves began to dry at the edges and spots appeared on them, or they did not tie buds, potassium deficiency on the face.
Ash is rich in this trace element, as well as calcium carbonate, so it can make plants healthier and prolong their life.
What other benefits it brings:
• accelerates the movement of nutrients through plant cells, thereby normalizing the course of biochemical processes;
• improves the absorption of trace elements;
“It regulates the water balance. ”
• activates the process of photosynthesis, in which nutrients are transported to the leaves and buds;
• contains magnesium, which is an excellent building material.
2.
Water with starch
Macaroni get, and water pour flowers. / Photo: pulse.mail.ru
Why is the lack of nutrients especially acute in winter?
It ’ s all about a small amount of sunlight, because the main source of nutrition for some plants is light.
In order to survive this season with the least losses, the plants try to increase the starch reserves in the fruits and seeds - it is he who serves as a backup power source, which they resort to at night or when there is a lack of daylight.
Instead of buying special fertilizers containing starch, simply water the flowers with water from under cooking pasta or potatoes.
But before proceeding with the procedure, be sure to cool the liquid so as not to harm the roots.
3.
Eggshell
Eggshell should be crushed. / Photo: pinterest.com
The eggshell contains many minerals and trace elements that are useful for plant nutrition.
In addition to calcium, the composition includes magnesium, iron, fluorine, zinc and even lime, which reduces the acidity of the soil.
That is why eggshells are considered an effective fertilizer.
Before adding the shell, it must be dried and crushed in a coffee grinder or mortar.
After that, place the fertilizer in a glass jar, pour water and close with a lid.
The shell should be stored in a cool dark place for 14 days.
It is very simple to understand that the fertilizer is ready - the water will become turbid and an unpleasant smell will appear.
After that, you can breed with water in a ratio of 1: 3 and water the plants.
A simpler option is to sprinkle the ground around the plant with crushed shells.
4.
Coffee and coffee grounds
Coffee grounds should be poured into a pot with a flower. / Photo: stroy-podskazka.ru
If you want plants to get the nutrients they need, drink them... coffee.
As it turned out, the invigorating drink is an excellent fertilizer for flowers, as it consists of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Nitrogen is especially useful for plants, because it stimulates the growth of the stem, strengthens it and gives the sprouts a rich color.
Many thanks for such feeding will say roses, hydrangeas and magnolias.
However, other flowers will not mind sharing a cup of coffee with you.
Coffee grounds also have a positive effect on plants.
Yes, it has no nutrients, but it makes the soil more loose, acidic and light, saturates the soil with the necessary oxygen.
5.
Yeast
Dry yeast should be diluted in water. / Photo: vkusno-recept.ru
Fertilizer, which includes yeast, contains vitamins of group B, necessary for plants for successful growth and development.
It can be made from both dry and live yeast - which is found in the kitchen.
In the first case, a small bag should be diluted in ten liters of water, add three tablespoons of sugar and water the flowers.
Please note that this should be done once every three seasons, not more often.
As for pressed yeast, they should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 5 and let stand for two hours.
You can only use the fresh solution prepared today.
After fertilizing the plants with yeast, you need to feed the soil with ash to maintain the balance of potassium.
6.
Citrus fruits
It is necessary to make an infusion of citrus peel. / Photo: stella70.ru
You can safely fertilize plants with an infusion of citrus peel, so if tangerines and oranges are frequent guests on your table, do not throw away the skins.
The infusion has antiseptic properties, increases the immunity of the plant, fights pests.
Preparing fertilizer is very simple.
Take a three-liter jar, fill a third of the container with dried crusts, pour water to the top and leave for 24 hours.
After that, you need to add the missing volume of liquid to the jar and pour the infusion of flowers.
The procedure should be repeated twice a month in the warm season, and once in the cold.
7.
Banana Peel
Banana peel can be dried or prepared infusion. / Photo: uprls.ru
An excellent source of potassium is banana peel.
From it, you can make an infusion by analogy with citrus or prepare dry fertilizer.
The second option will be more effective, since when dried in the peel, the concentration of useful trace elements increases.
Any skin is suitable for cooking, you can even use overripe with brown spots.
Take the baking sheet and spread the skins in one layer, yellow side down, otherwise they will stick.
If you live in a private house and the window is sunny weather, take the baking sheet outside.
In the cold season, it can be placed on the battery.
As for the oven, it is undesirable to dry the banana peel in it, since when exposed to high temperatures, it loses part of the nutrients.
When the skins are dry, they should be ground in a coffee grinder, blender or crushed in any other way convenient for you.
The resulting powder is used as top dressing - add the soil on top, then water with clean water.
It is effective in the case of both indoor plants and garden plants.
8.
Onion husk
You can use both white onions and purple. / Photo: ok.ru
If your plants began to attack pests or bacteria that provoke the appearance of various diseases, ordinary onion husk will help to cope with them.
To prepare fertilizer, pour one liter of water into a saucepan, boil it, then add a handful of husks and cook for ten minutes.
After the time, turn off the stove, cover the pan with a lid and let the husk brew for three hours.
The resulting solution of the plant should be watered twice a month - then it will be possible to avoid the appearance of pests.
9.
English salt
English salt is often used for bathing. / Photo: podagrainform.ru
It is often used in various beauty treatments, thanks to the magical composition.
English salt is a source of many minerals, including magnesium and sulfur.
In order for your plants to get the most out of them, mix a tablespoon of salt with four liters of water and use the ready-made solution for watering.
Magnesium and sulfur will help maintain the health of indoor flowers, which lack sunlight in winter to produce chlorophyll.
Source: https: / / novate.ru / blogs / 240123 / 65300 /
24.01.2023 - Posted by | Let 's try it?
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As a homeowner looking to enhance your living space, this report explores the practical benefits of indoor green walls, including air purification, temperature regulation, and mental health impact, along with maintenance needs and suitable plant selections.

Title:

Content: Columns
Spend less, increase the comfort and loyalty of employees - how to make a "green" office to get this effect
Columns
Alexey Evdokimov
Administrative Manager of Aegis-Rus LLC
Anastasia Udaltsova
An eco-friendly “green ” office is a goal on the way to which it will be necessary to solve a huge number of tasks.
And not all of them will be directly related to the “green ” theme.
So, Egis-Rus LLC was able to improve the condition of employees, conduct digitalization and introduce smart technologies for the warehouse and kitchen.
Alexey Evdokimov, the administrative manager of the company, shared this experience.
Spend less, increase the comfort and loyalty of employees - how to make a "green" office to get this effect
Environmental projects that have been implemented:
1.
Energy
2.
Water
3.
Waste
4.
Office paper and printers
5.
Office with the prefix "eco"
6.
Comfort and mood of employees
A bit of background
We moved to our office on Yartsevskaya Street at the end of December 2021, but the Green Office program was launched in our company long before that.
We suggest not to focus on the aspects of choice - after all, it is much more interesting to talk not about what was done in the office building before us, but about environmental projects that we have initiated and implemented ourselves.
Energy
Task
Reduce energy consumption, as it did not always meet expectations.
Solution
We started by learning from experience:
• talked with foreign colleagues and learned how they reduce energy consumption in their offices;
• consulted with the project designers (by the way, their portfolio already had energy-efficient cases);
• studied thematic public relations (proffadmin, Association “Association of AHP ”).
This allowed us to better understand where to start and where to go next.
What we did to reduce energy consumption:
1.
Switched to office equipment with energy class A and above.
Preference was given to models with the EnergyStar label - this was a guarantee that we had a really energy-efficient product.
2.
Abandoned fluorescent lamps in favor of LED lamps, twice more economical.
Visually, there is no difference (the temperature and intensity of lighting remained the same), but energy consumption has significantly decreased.
3.
Put motion sensors to avoid burning the light if there are no employees in the room.
Especially convenient for storerooms, kitchens, meeting rooms.
4.
Installed a master button that allows you to turn off all the lights in the office with a single key.
See also: Ideas for business that have not yet been implemented in Russia
Advice for those who want to use such a device in their office:
• provide for the installation of the master switch before the assembly of the electrical shield;
• think in advance what light and socket groups you want to display on the master button, and inform the electrician about it.
Otherwise, the process will be a little more laborious.
We were pleased with the results: in 2022 alone, the electricity consumption per person per month in our office almost halved – from 101 kW / h to 58 kW / h.
Given the low labor intensity and relatively low costs at each stage (office equipment we had to buy anyway), such indicators are especially pleasant.
Water
Task
Improve the quality of drinking water and reduce the consumption of industrial water without creating inconveniences for employees.
Solution
To prepare drinking water, we installed a Brita-Vivreau dispenser in the office.
In addition to a good level of filtration, it works on an environmental refrigerant, which was quite a serious argument for us.
In addition, it is a device with low energy consumption.
For toilets, we purchased plumbing with adjustable water flow (normal and economical on different buttons).
Since many members of our team adhere to the principles of environmental responsibility and try to use water moderately at home, they often use an economical regime.
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On the other hand, completely abandon the usual regime is also not advisable.
Therefore, everyone who is looking at such solutions, we advise you to pay attention to the systems with the possibility of customization: with them you will in any case spend less water than with the use of conventional devices, but at the same time some employees will not be dissatisfied that “water is not enough, and it flows slowly ”.
To minimize leaks, all rooms with water supply are equipped with the Neptune system, which automatically closes the supply when the pressure in the pipes drops.
Waste
Task
Reduce the amount of waste, especially plastic.
Solution
Until 2019, our company purchased about 21 thousand bottles of drinking water per year.
And although we always tried to hand over the remaining plastic containers for recycling, something had to be done with so much waste.
As a result, we decided to completely abandon water in such a package and began to use for personal needs water obtained from the centralized water supply system and passed several stages of preparation.
Was this transition difficult?
I don't think so.
Office employees quickly appreciated the advantages of the flow system (the main thing is not to take the cheapest cooler with poor-quality filters), and for events we use water in glass.
How to make an office eco-friendly: 7 simple steps
Glass does not have a toxic effect on the body, because, unlike some types of polymers, it does not contain bisphenol A.
Another potential source of plastic pollution - disposable tableware - is gradually being replaced by reusable.
In 2022, we managed to reduce the use of disposable tableware:
• by 33% compared to the same period in 2021 (74.3 thousand units against 110.6 thousand units),
• 53% - compared to the same period in 2020.
Positive feedback from employees was an additional motivation.
We see that they are very fond of using beautiful porcelain plates and try to treat them as carefully as possible.
Obvious points, such as the installation of containers for collecting batteries, we, of course, also provided.
Ecologist ’ s Day: How Russian Companies Help Protect the Environment
In our experience, employees do not forget about them - every six months we hand over for processing 15-17 kg of batteries.
The main thing: if your company has employees working outside the office and visiting it only on the road (for example, sales representatives), do not forget to inform them about this option.
We also hand over for recycling waste paper (for 2021-2022, we collected about 5.8 tons) and office equipment with expired service life.
Office paper and printers
Task
Rationalize the approach to the use of office equipment; reduce the consumption of paper and components.
Solution
We started with a revision of the printers: we looked at how many devices we have, which ones are used more often, and which ones are used less often.
As a result, it turned out that:
• we have too many printers;
• Almost all of them are connected to the grid and consume energy in a non-stop mode.
As a result, we gave up about 20 devices.
Equipment with expired service life was sent for processing, and serviceable equipment was donated to those in need as part of charitable projects.
So we:
• reduced waste (cartridges),
• Reduced the number of printouts and power consumption.
See also: RegTech in Russian: how has the document recognition market changed in recent weeks and what solutions do the industry need?
A fundamental innovation was the introduction of a card printing system:
• it prevents the misuse of printers (we thus reduced paper consumption by 12-15%),
• ensures the confidentiality of information, as it excludes the possibility of printing without the knowledge of the author and leaving printed copies unattended.
For companies with large staff or serious security requirements, this is a very good option.
It was possible to significantly reduce paper consumption, including due to:
1.
Transition from printed advertising materials to electronic ones.
2.
Introduction of electronic document management system.
3.
The use of electronic route sheets (this also reduced transportation costs).
4.
Simplify the advance reporting process.
According to our calculations, for 7 months of 2022, we managed to reduce the consumption of office paper by 45% compared to the same period last year (or by 785 kg of A4 paper).
5040 kg of paper were transferred for processing in the fiscal year 2021-2022.
Office with the prefix "eco"
Task
To increase the environmental friendliness of furniture and interior solutions used in the design of the office.
Solution
We implemented projects together with the specialists of the architectural and design bureau:
1.
For the flooring, we put eco-friendly modulyss carpet tiles.
Its key feature is the Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold substrate, designed for recycling.
The yarn from which Econyl carpets are made is fished from the ocean and recycled nets.
2.
The director ’ s office was lined with eco-veneer, produced using “green ” technologies (without the use of chlorine and chemical compounds that can pose a danger to humans and the environment).
3.
In the premises for negotiations and collaborations, products of a local manufacturer are used, which provide additional acoustic comfort.
4.
All offices were equipped with suspended ceilings with perforations, reducing noise levels.
The material from which the panels are made is also environmentally friendly.
5.
In open space, we applied the Ecophon solution.
These are environmentally friendly panels that improve the indoor microclimate in terms of visual and acoustic perception.
Comfort and mood of employees
Task
Ensure the health and well-being of people who work in an office space – in full compliance with existing “green ” standards.
Solution
We had to make sure that in the new office employees felt good at once on three levels:
1.
Physically
2.
Psychologically
3.
Socially
Therefore, the project of the office was developed taking into account the communications between departments, the wishes of all team members and the corporate culture of the company.
After collecting the wishes, professional architects entered the business.
In total, they proposed five projects, of which we chose one – and then implemented.
Read more: How to Create a Dream Office – Six Simple Tips
What we asked in the first place:
• Preferred color solutions in the design.
Most employees voted for a light design with the invariable blue elements that are associated with the brand.
• Literally: “What would you like to implement in order to work more comfortably? ”
Most often, they talked about how to reduce the level of background noise - so that even despite the impressive number of employees and the general lively atmosphere in a large office it was pleasant and quiet.
To do this, we used floor sound-absorbing coatings that were installed in the partitions between the tables.
However, the most unusual solution was found for meeting rooms, where noise-absorbing materials formed the basis of creative installations - three-dimensional figures and other decorative elements.
See also: Everywhere sharing: what is the economy of sharing
In addition to creating new points of visual attraction, this step really increased the level of acoustic comfort in the premises.
Together with the design of the office, we have transformed the style of work in this space.
The concept of Activity Based, which we applied, involves:
• the presence of both fixed and unfixed workplaces - so that employees can be where they are most comfortable;
• use of the online booking system for work and parking spaces;
• a significant increase in the number of meeting rooms;
• creation of zones for concentration and informal communication.
CONCLUSION
We are very pleased with the new “green ” office, and with the environmental indicators that we have managed to achieve.
In 2023, we will pursue even more ambitious goals: to reduce the use of plastic products by another 40% and office paper by 10%.
The achievement of these results should be facilitated by the creation of an environmental management system, in accordance with which we are already organizing our internal and external environmental activities.
We hope that by the end of the year we will be able to tell even more about effective sustainable development.
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture
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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

Title:

Content:   • Home

Gardener at wit’s end over mysterious ‘white fuzz’ coating soil of indoor tree: ‘The plant has been dying’

“There’s no need to change the soil or repot as suggested.”

Photo Credit: iStock

Having a lush garden can be beautiful and relaxing, but sometimes caring for your plants is more complicated than it seems. One gardener took to Reddit to get help with a problem regarding their lemon tree.

In the subreddit r/gardening, one home gardener shared photos of “white fuzz” covering the soil of a beloved plant. In a comment on the post, they added some context.

“There has been a blooming white fuzz mold on the soil, and the plant has been dying — leaves have been drying up and falling off en mass,” the OP wrote, noting that they moved the lemon tree inside in December when they went on vacation.

“Whenever I have watered the mold has flourished. I’m not sure what to do short of dumping all the soil and repotting,” they continued.

While some houseplants can be more difficult to care for, the benefits of having greenery indoors are worth it. According to Time, houseplants can reduce stress and anxiety, increase happiness and productivity, and even speed up healing. One research paper found that simply looking at plants, gardens, and nature benefits patients in hospitals.

Having plants in your home can also help filter and purify the air. Some scientists have been trying to increase how effectively plants do this by making genetically modified versions called Neoplants

Thankfully, the helpful folks on r/gardening had some ideas for how to care for this particular plant.

“Simply spray h2o2 [hydrogen peroxide] to kill the mold, then just bottom water from now on. There’s no need to change the soil or repot as suggested,” one person recommended.

There was some debate in the comments about if the mold could be helpful or harmful, with one person suggesting: “Ask r/mycology to ID it. Some fungi are helpful to plants, while some are parasitic. They can help you there [to] figure out which type you have.”

There really are answers to everything on Reddit.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.

Title:

Content: What indoor flowers like the cold
Amateur florists usually select for gardening apartments completely certain plants, choosing them for the duration and brightness of flowering, by type of growth, by unpretentiousness in care, by the size and shape of the leaves, and even often by external aesthetic harmony with the style of the room.
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Title:

Content: Miscellaneous
Publish Date: August 31, 2021 15: 28 GMT
Updated Date: 31 Aug 2021 16: 35 GMT
How do you turn your home into a forest?
Many are used to decorating their homes with plants; while some prefer to plant them in their surroundings and on roofs, others place them in vials inside living rooms.
Indoor Plants Urges James
+ A -A
Source: Al-Nakhal Symbols - Eram News
Many are used to decorating their homes with plants; while some prefer to plant them in their surroundings and on roofs, others place them in vials inside living rooms.
Indoor Plants
James Folger, founder of The Stem Landscaping, urges the integration of plants with home interior designs, turning it into a miniature forest of lush trees, as well as its beautiful natural landscape and health benefits, will add a stunning design to the house, without the need to carry a paintbrush, or spend a lot of money on designs.
The best indoor trees.
Vex Lerata Plant
Characterized by its thick dark skin leaves, this plant loves indirect sunlight, so it is often found next to the corridors of the house.
Braided Umbrella Tree
With its small size and shiny, marble leaves that create a colorful canopy, this plant brings tropical atmospheres to the house.
Ming wort Australia
A dwarf tree with soft feathers and bright green leaves covering its wooden trunk and stems.
Aralia Fabian
This plant loves the sun, as it is a great place for the kitchen or the bedroom facing south, and it is characterized by its large, bright green leaves.
Dragon Tree
This tree, whose leaves resemble a sword, can be easily cared for.
The money tree.
Characterized by its braided trunk and dark green branching leaves in the shape of a hand, its exquisite appearance made it perfect for decorating the interior of the house, it is also believed to represent wealth, and the money tree leaves are considered non-toxic making it pet-friendly.
How to care for indoor trees
Use clean water at room temperature to water the tree, as plants do not like water that is frozen or contains mineral deposits.
Clean the leaves of the trees regularly and gently with a damp cloth so as not to be damaged.
Grouping together a group of plants that have similar humidity levels, where they begin to form their microclimate, take care of each other and maintain appropriate humidity levels.
Examine soil and leaves regularly, and look for insects among them.
If any damage is detected, report it to the plant doctor.
Rules for choosing indoor trees:
Determine where to put the tree in the house.
Check the levels of light you ’ ll be exposed to, the north facing windows are a great place for trees that like semi-shaded light, and the south facing windows can be reserved for tropical plants that love the sun.
Check the moisture requirements, if the type of plant likes moisture, it can be placed in the bathroom.
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## Practical Benefits of Indoor Green Walls

### Air Purification

Indoor green walls serve as natural air purifiers, significantly improving indoor air quality.

Plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, but they also remove harmful toxins from the air.

Title:

Content: Sunday Day
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Being a plant that tolerates high heat and does not consume much water
Sider Trees Alternative to Palm Trees by Main Roads
The Green Middle East Initiative and the Climate Change Conference, Kuwait ’ s participation in them recently and its international commitments to increase the number of cultivated plants, nature reserves, afforestation projects, rehabilitation and afforestation of the wild environment, are factors that enhance agricultural cultural awareness.
This will enhance cooperation and unify efforts towards the implementation of joint environmental commitments, and based on the environmental commitments contained in the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom will cooperate with neighboring countries to address the challenges of climate change beyond its borders as well.
In parallel, the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs stressed the importance of afforestation and the development of green cover in the country by planting new types of plants that are more suitable for the Kuwaiti environment and its hot weather.
In this context, the Authority continues its tireless approach towards planting Sidr trees at highways and public and inside and outside the regions and the desert and other places instead of palm trees because they are plants that tolerate high heat and do not consume a lot of water and do not need close follow-up unlike palm trees, which need permanent care and abundant water and high cost.
According to the authority, palm cultivation will not be allowed in roads and public gardens except in private homes and farms only, amid its tendency to grow Sidr in natural reserves, and amateur apiaries will be placed there to provide food security.
Irrigation water
She stressed the need to provide water for irrigation, especially in summer, as the provision of irrigation and networks to water crops is one of the most important factors of sustainability, in parallel with the continuation of afforestation campaigns launched by the Authority and extends from the northern and southern borders to plant trees beneficial and environmentally friendly in Kuwait.
Also, an experiment was introduced for the first time since the establishment of the Agriculture Authority by separating public gardens contracts from street and road contracts, which was first applied in the capital governorate in order to avoid neglecting the contractor in projects at the expense of others in cosmetic agriculture.
As well as the development of 39 gardens were old and dilapidated through this mechanism in a smooth manner and the experiment succeeded after the end of the contract period specified in 4 years to adopt the idea of separation and re-put it again and can be circulated to the rest of the provinces when budgets are available in the coming years.
The gardens are distributed on multiple types and classified according to their area, there are small gardens between (Al Furjan) does not exceed 4 thousand square meters and other largest area in the suburbs, as well as the so-called parks, which are the largest in size may reach the area of   a residential area.
According to the Authority, each of these types has a different perception than the other, but what is taken during the process of designing and creating gardens is to ensure that there are no gardens that contain increased units for buildings because the gardens were developed to entertain people through the increase of green areas that purify the vision.
SPORTS AREAS
Also, green and sports arenas have been implemented instead of the spaces allocated for buildings, as the Authority has implemented more than 64 sports fields as well as 48 playgrounds for children, so the ideas adopted by the Authority are to establish simple gardens with the approach to remove the barriers that cause a sense of distress to the visitors and therefore took the step of removing the walls in several gardens as models to study their impact.
The move prompted the Agriculture Authority to adopt designs for the new gardens free of fences with the removal of the remaining once additional budgets are available for the maintenance of the gardens amid a trend also to not include the new gardens on toilets with the consideration of reducing the existing in the old or remove them during maintenance because they are more vulnerable to vandalism.
She pointed out that the work of the implementation and maintenance department in the Authority is related to the maintenance of existing crops and gardens and support services that were established before the establishment of the Authority when it was just a department in the Ministry of Public Works by maintaining and developing these projects and adding new touches and updating them.
Maintenance contracts
The Authority has 12 contracts for the maintenance of roads and gardens covering the six governorates in residential, investment, commercial and highways areas supervised by responsible and specialized companies to maintain these projects and preserve the plants inside them.
According to (Agriculture), the idea of   investing gardens through the initiators was put forward in partnership with the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises to encourage initiators and those interested in agriculture to exploit some public parks and cultivate them for certain years and considered that it is a new idea that benefits the people of the region and also to preserve them from damage while giving room for creativity in the field of agriculture to initiators.
Theme Parks
The Authority pointed out that the idea of   allocation is applied in the parks allocated to it in the province of Jahra, such as the project (Salil Jahra) and (Boulevard Park) in Hawally, and this is a successful example of privatization and can be applied to part of the public parks, but under the supervision of the Authority.
There are studies that showed that the area of   the green surface of the football field is equal to the work of 40 air conditioners, which prompted the Authority to start the implementation of public parks for its benefit in reducing the temperature, as well as creating a space for children and young people to use the playground and children's yards and not to sabotage the planting in the garden.
As for cosmetic agriculture, the authority said that 180 gardens have been established, but in just three years it has been able to prepare contracts for 60 new gardens, and 90 sites have been received for new gardens and prepare their contracts and pending the adoption of budgets to start the procedures of offering.
In conclusion, the Commission stressed the interest and support for civil society and its initiatives, whether at the level of individuals or community organizations, as well as the private sector, and launched many voluntary campaigns in cooperation between the Commission and civil society to increase the green area and included the six governorates and still continue to do so.
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Title:

Content: Sunday 23 July 2023 Abu Dhabi UAE
Prayer times
News Highlights
Today 's Issue
Today 's Issue
United Arab Emirates
Experts for « Union »: Green engineering is a modern concept for sustainable architecture
Experts for « Union »: Green engineering is a modern concept for sustainable architecture
July 23, 2023 01: 04
Lamia Al Harmudi (Sharjah)
A number of faculty members specialized in engineering and sustainability programs confirmed that the trend towards sustainable or green architecture has been growing significantly in the past decade, as it has had a significant impact on the conservation of natural resources and climate.
They referred to the Cabinet ’ s decision in 2010 to adopt green building standards and sustainable building standards to be applied across the country, which began to be applied in government buildings in early 2011, as the project is expected to save AED10 billion by 2030 and reduce about 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.
They noted the importance of Abu Dhabi ’ s initiative on Estidama ’ s five-tier Pearl Rating System. All new buildings are required to have a single pearl rating, while all government buildings and residential villas must have two pearls, and Dubai has introduced green building specifications that contain 79 standard specifications that are now mandatory for all construction developments.
They stressed the importance of heading to sustainable architecture as the most modern and optimal method in maintaining the sustainability of the environment and natural resources, pointing out that green construction is a necessary orientation, as it is one of the positive urban strategies on the environment and society.
Sustainable construction
Dr Adel Al Tamimi, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, said: “Sustainable construction is defined as a facility that is designed, built, operated and disposed of without disrupting the natural ecosystem.
The construction sector consumes about 30% to 50% of the total energy used in society, due to industrially produced materials, transportation and the use of air conditioners during the construction and operation of buildings, which leads to the generation of large emissions of greenhouse gases that negatively affect the climate.
The Zero Carbon Energy initiative has recently gained international attention due to the increased demand for construction and the high consumption of materials, potable water and energy. ”
He explained: “The theory of ‘ Zero Carbon Energy ’ revolves around the four pillars of sustainability, which are the environmental, social, economic and cultural pillars outlined in the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Programme.
In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, innovative approaches in the design, construction, operation and disposal of buildings, such as the implementation of a circular economy model, increased use of renewable energy sources, efficient waste water management, and passive thermal design, must be studied through improved building envelope, effective insulation and natural ventilation. ”
Smart Buildings
“New initiatives, such as smart buildings and automation, will play an active role in the development of the construction industry by reducing the carbon footprint and mitigating the effects of climate change across the UAE, as the UAE moves towards 3D printing of concrete based on the UAE ’ s sustainable approach, ” said Al Tamimi.
Examples of printed concrete buildings in the UAE include the traditional Sharjah Villa, the Dubai Al Warsan Building and the Future Office.
A mosque, the first of its kind by 3D printing of concrete, is set to be built in Dubai soon. ”
Circular Economy
Dr. Salwa Buhairi, Professor of Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, said: “The concept of a circular economy, often defined as an economic system designed to reuse and regenerate materials and products and reduce waste, is a key component of the future trend towards reducing the environmental and economic impacts of the construction industry.
Although the construction industry is a major cause of resource depletion, environmental degradation and climate change, it remains one of the world ’ s most influential industries in terms of job creation and contribution to GDP and national output. ”
“Controlled construction activity will continue to be essential to the survival and stability of states and societies.
Our responsibility, as construction professors, policy developers and industry stakeholders, is to highlight the negative impacts of the construction sector, ensure they are properly addressed, planned and mitigated.
The building programs at the American University of Sharjah ’ s School of Engineering are in line with the UAE government ’ s efforts to create a circular economy by addressing the country ’ s knowledge gap regarding circular production and economic activity. ”
She pointed to the need for engineering colleges in different universities to design programs that introduce students to different concepts, such as digital applications, environmental control, resource management, and related fields and legal aspects.
Waste management
Dr. Zaruk Sharifuddin, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the College of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah, explained: “Over the past decade, the amount of waste generated in the UAE has increased significantly due to population growth and increased economic activities.
In this context, the UAE applies sustainable waste management practices in various sectors including manufacturing, waste treatment industries, launching a university program, adopting waste treatment and sustainability in healthcare facilities and many more. A sustainable waste management system requires a hierarchy of waste avoidance, which is most preferred, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, treatment and disposal. ”
At the American University of Sharjah, for example, we address topics of sustainable practices in teaching and in our research work, such as air pollution control and waste management in undergraduate programs, teaching environmental engineering in graduate programs, and research work on industry-related projects in the region and around the world. ”
Dr Zaruk said: “One of our recent research work is the conversion of lightweight building material waste into bioreactor filling media particles that can remove toxic air pollutants and odor from landfills.
In addition to research work related to sustainability and the development of innovative bioreactors for carbon capture and biodiesel production, sustainable management of intermediate waste, technologies to reduce volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gas emissions, the use of the Internet of Things in waste management practices, and waste-to-energy processes that reduce waste volume and mass through incineration, gasification and pyrolysis.
All of this research directly contributes to the transition to sustainable construction, reducing harmful emissions as much as possible to preserve the environment, and creating a new generation with a conscious thought about the importance of this aspect and its impact on the future of other generations. ”
All rights reserved to Al Ittihad Newspaper 2023 ©

Research has shown that certain plants can eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne pollutants, creating a healthier living environment.

This air-cleaning capability is particularly valuable in urban settings where indoor air quality can be compromised by building materials, cleaning products, and outdoor pollutants that enter the home.

Title:

Content: Ras Al Khaimah is greener than 1,000 buildings.
Investing in a more sustainable lifestyle
T + T - normal size
Ras Al Khaimah Municipality is leading the implementation of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 to make the real estate and government buildings sectors more sustainable through green buildings. More than 1,000 buildings have been completed according to the new standards to reduce the cost of energy and water for consumers by targeting 30% electricity, 20% water and 20% renewable energy.
Munther bin Shukr Al Zaabi, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said that green buildings represent an encouraging investment for most real estate developers and owners of private residential buildings, as sustainable construction practices are no longer seen as a luxury, but become a necessity for modern life as a result of efficient operation and cost savings in the long term to cope with the effects of population increase, large amounts of energy use and high emissions levels.
Ras Al Khaimah Municipality manages the strategy in cooperation with a committee of key government entities at the local and federal levels, and it is estimated that the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions will lead to investments of about AED 9 billion in Ras Al Khaimah in the period of the strategy, through multiple development mechanisms.
He pointed out that the strategy consists of nine programs, including "the list of conditions for green buildings, modernization of buildings, energy management, efficient devices, efficiency of road lighting, water reuse and effective irrigation, solar energy programs, waste to energy, and efficient vehicles."
Under the Green Building Regulations program, more than 1,000 buildings have been completed according to the new standards, including insulation, efficient air conditioning, efficient lighting, etc. There is also ongoing work in developing regulatory standards for the public sphere, as Barjeel deals with individual buildings, the municipality works on general sustainability standards, and promotes more sustainable communities.
A contract.
In terms of existing buildings, around 200 buildings have been contracted to retrofit and we have a target of 3,000 buildings by 2040. In addition, the Energy Management Program has been deployed, joined by more than 20 government entities, and is expanding to the industrial sector.
In terms of infrastructure, the Public Services Department has converted nearly 100% of street lighting to LED lights and there are developments in water reuse infrastructure, and there is also ongoing work to expand the coverage of the network of efficient vehicle charging stations.
In addition to the nine programs, Ras Al Khaimah launched the Green Public Procurement Program, which encourages government entities to purchase more environmentally friendly and biodegradable products. Ras Al Khaimah Municipality is also completing preparations for a new service to support residents in reducing their energy consumption.
Barjeel has been in place since 2019, and at the end of 2021, we counted more than 1,000 completed buildings in line with the new requirements. For new buildings, Barjeel saves 30% of electricity and water compared to previous building standards, before Barjeel.
Over the course of our 20-year strategy, we aim to gradually update the supporting regulations and mechanisms to double this level of efficiency in each new building, with more than 3,100 building permit transactions issued for more than 4,900 buildings of various types from the launch of the program until the end of May 2022.
Existing buildings account for the bulk of Ras Al Khaimah ’ s water and water consumption. The retrofit project can significantly reduce the building ’ s energy and water consumption by replacing or improving its equipment or systems without interrupting the building ’ s normal operations. RAK ’ s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 addresses existing buildings through the Building Modernization Program.
Al Zaabi stressed that the path towards future modernization projects is constantly growing, as about 200 buildings have been contracted for modernization so far and hundreds more are in the pipeline and all completed projects continue to show performance above expectations.
Compliance with the Green Building Regulations (Barjeel) for new buildings usually reduces their electricity and water consumption by about 30%, due to improvements such as better insulation, more efficient air conditioning, renewable energy water heating, etc. The cost of implementing these improvements is small compared to the total cost of building construction.
Supporting the economy
RAKEZ is proud to be the first government entity in the emirate to fully comply with the Ras Al Khaimah Green Building Standards and Regulations (Barjeel) issued by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. The regulations focus on applying sustainability standards to new buildings in the emirate to support the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040. Designed in accordance with these regulations and standards in order to raise the efficiency of buildings, reduce energy consumption and save water.
He pointed out that RAKEZ ’ s work is currently focused on developing new projects that comply with the standards and regulations of green buildings in its Al Hamra industrial zone, which include a 3-storey workers ’ residence building and a range of new warehouses. These buildings contain insulating exterior walls that reduce heat absorption during the day and help ventilate the facility to create suitable working conditions for its workers.
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Content: Change of seasons

Jean Joviak and Maxine Hunter
Columnists

Ugh! I cannot believe summer is over already but COVID is not so I will probably be mostly housebound for a bit longer. I thought I would try growing some flowers that would provide blooms through the fall and winter. Seeing plants in bloom through my windows always cheers me up.

My experience with gardening has been growing vegetables and planting only a few flowers amongst the beds to try to attract pollinators. I want to do all I can to assure success with my idea, which includes "Lazy Me” being willing to do what it takes to care for these plants and “Utilitarian Me” who wants to grow flowers that can be eaten or used as cut flower arrangements.

To help me choose what flowers to plant I thought my most reliable resource would be UF/IFAS so I went to the "Ask IFAS" website (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/) and queried what flowers should be planted in the fall. I printed Table 3 from "Annuals Commonly Grown in Florida," marked the column under Central Florida and circled the ones that listed October as the earliest planting time.

Since “Lazy Me” does not like to go out in the cold to cover plants when we have a cold snap I then crossed off the ones that were listed as tender (do not tolerate cold). I wanted to find flowers that required the same amount of sun and water so they could all be planted in the area where I could easily see them from inside the house. I crossed off most succulents but kept those that liked full sun.

I have had a problem with nematodes in my yard, so I screened for resistance to nematodes using Table 1 from the Ask IFAS publication. Not all the plants in Table 3 that were recommended for fall planting were listed on this table but for the ones that were included, I selected the flowers that had a Goff rating of L (lightly affected by nematodes) or better. I then screened for toxicity to dogs as I have two beautiful Yorkies who got sick after eating amaryllis earlier this year and which cost me significant veterinary bills and many hours of anxiety until they were back home with me.

After all this screening I whittled the list down to Sweet Alyssum, Dianthus, Petunias, and Viola. I was very sorry to give up Baby’s Breath as I think it is so pretty.

Jean’s picks for fall flower planting are:

No. 4: Viola. These can be planted in fall or spring. For fall planting it is probably better to plant seedlings. These flowers can be grown from seed in spring by broadcasting (sprinkling) the fine seed over compost (use composted cow manure you purchase or from your own compost pile) then covered by a thin layer of sieved compost or vermiculite. Some recommend planting seedlings in peat free compost and adding mycorrhizal fungi at time of planting. They do better if you dead head them (cut off the dead flowers) and if you cut them back to about 2 inches in midsummer and fertilize them lightly, usually they regrow in about a month. The older varieties are usually perennial but hybrids usually grow larger flowers but are annuals. They are prey to aphids, snails, root rot, leaf spot diseases and mildew. They require so much care, they almost did not make the list but I understand the petals are quite tasty. These are available in a variety of colors and some with long stems that are lovely for flower arrangements. The colors are rich and can be grown alongside lettuce. Many varieties are used as groundcover under shrubs.They can be grown from seed or from cuttings if taken before flowers appear.

No. 3: Sweet Alyssum. This grows as an annual that self-seeds in Zone 8 and lower and as a short-lived perennial in Zones 9-11. We are in Zone 9b. The plants grow to 4-10 inches tall and 10-48 inches wide. The leaves are oval and may be green, blue-green, or variegated (multicolored). The flowers have a delightful honey scent and come in multiple colors including white, pink, rose, lavender, purple and apricot. Seeds can be direct planted or in pots that are started indoors. At time of planting they like a little slow release fertilizer and when the flowers bloom they like water soluble fertilizer added monthly. Do not overwater. If growing in containers, allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry before adding more water. They are not prone to pests but can get stem rot or leaf blight if overwatered or don’t get enough sunlight. If you plant from seeds, they are prone to damping off. (So disappointing when your little seedlings are coming up and suddenly fall over dead!)

No. 2: Dianthus. These are frequently referred to as sweet William or pinks (not due to the color so much as due to the irregular flower edges that look like they have been cut with pinking shears). These grow to be up to 3 feet high and up to 2 feet wide. Some species are annuals, some biennials and some perennials. They like soil pH to be neutral to slightly alkaline (pH of 7 or slightly higher). The soil needs to drain well to avoid root rot. Varieties are available in white, pink, lilac or red. They are edible and have a clove like taste. Rabbits, butterflies and hummingbirds love them. They do not require much fertilizer and a shovelful of compost a year is usually sufficient for growth. If you cut off the spent flowers after the first bloom, you will likely get a second bloom later in the year. Dianthus can be affected by spider mites and aphids but vascular wilt which is caused by a fungus (without an effective fungicide treatment) can be deadly to the plant. If this happens, the plant needs to be removed, thrown out in the trash and not placed in compost pile. Dianthus should not be replanted in that same area.

No. 1: Petunias. I have to admit that this is my No. 1 because “you go with what you know” and I have grown petunias in the past with great success. I planted the petunia seedlings in gallon plastic pots and placed these pots between the earth boxes where my vegetables were planted. I had two pots of petunias that bloomed for a whole year! These come in many varieties of colors and stem lengths.  hey like the sun, need 1-2 inches of water every 7-10 days, balanced fertilizer monthly or a slow release fertilize at time of planting. They have very few pest issues with only occasional problems with aphids or caterpillars and they can be affected by petal blight if the weather is too hot and humid. You will get more flowers if you dead head the larger flowered varieties.

Wish me luck with my plan for a fall and winter pick me up! If you are interested in other flowering plants this fall here are a few more that I researched: Calendula, sweet alyssum, viola, and petunias are considered nontoxic to pets and edible for humans. Geraniums, calibrachoa, dianthus, lemon balm, lantana and kalanchoe are toxic to dogs and other pets. Snapdragons are edible but not so tasty, recommended for use only as a garnish for its beauty.

Lastly, pine trees and other “evergreen” cone-bearing species experience a seasonal needle drop that is a normal part of the plant's lifecycle. Needles of conifers do not remain attached indefinitely to the tree. In Florida, needles commonly persist for about one and a half or two and a half years. As they reach “old age,” needles will begin to turn bright yellow, then eventually brown, and are released. The change can be gradual, or, with some species, quite rapid. Fall needle drop is an annual event that will occur all across the landscape, although not necessarily all at once. Even pines growing side by side may exhibit different levels and timing of needle loss. Environmental conditions such as rainfall and temperature changes will impact the timing and intensity of the coloration.

To speak with our Natural Resources Extension Agent or to register for programs call 671-8400 or email maxine32666@ufl.edu

— Maxine Hunter is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent II and Interim Master Gardener Coordinator at the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. For more information, contact the office at 671-8400. The Extension Service is at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470.

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Green walls provide natural thermal regulation for