Vertical gardens, or green walls, provide substantial **air purification** benefits in indoor environments by filtering pollutants and toxins.

Research from the University of Technology Sydney demonstrated that vertical wall systems with indoor plants can remove harmful petrol-related compounds, eliminating most pollutants within hours .

Specific plants such as Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) are especially effective; Peace Lily thrives in low-light and maintains humidity, while Snake Plant tolerates low light, irregular watering, and releases oxygen at night, enhancing indoor air quality .

Aloe Vera also aids in air purification and reduces indoor temperatures through transpiration .

For **temperature regulation**, vertical gardens cool indoor spaces via several mechanisms.

Through transpiration, plants absorb water and release it through leaf pores, cooling the air as water evaporates .

Evaporative cooling absorbs heat energy, reducing temperature, especially in dry climates .

Foliage provides shade, limiting direct sunlight and maintaining a cooler microclimate indoors .

Vegetation on facades acts as natural insulation, reducing heat absorption and lowering the need for artificial cooling .

Experimental vertical gardens in Nigeria and Tanzania reduced wall temperatures by up to 5°C, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating heat .

Vertical gardens also help combat the urban heat island effect by cooling air in densely populated areas .

**Mental health benefits** are significant.

The presence of indoor green walls reduces stress and anxiety, as studies show that seeing or interacting with plants lowers stress levels and blood pressure .

During periods of isolation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with houseplants reported fewer incidents of anxiety and depression .

Green walls foster a connection to nature, alleviating loneliness and promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and cognitive benefits .

Modular systems allow easy

Vertical gardens, or green walls, provide substantial **air purification** benefits in indoor environments by filtering pollutants and toxins.

Research from the University of Technology Sydney demonstrated that vertical wall systems with indoor plants can remove harmful petrol-related compounds, eliminating most pollutants within hours .

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Digitalization Capacity for Knowledge Acquisition-Learning from Health Monitoring.pdf

  1. 1. Digitalization Capacity for Knowledge Acquisition: Learning from Health Monitoring Doctor Thesis : SHENGJING SUN Supervisor: Prof. Joaquín Ordieres Meré 2020
  2. 2. Agenda Introduction 01 Research Question 02 Methodology 03 Study Design (4) 04 Conclusions 05
  3. 3. Integration of intelligent data into anything and everything that intersects business workflows in different industries and personal streams of all life-span. Digitalization The digital world is always tracking, always monitoring, always computing, always learning, and always adapting. Digital world: Always on ---IoT, coined by Kevin Ashton is a typical practice to boost the digitalization process. ---3A concepts anytime, anywhere and any media. Internet of Things (IoT) ---The data value chain by European Commission: the center of future knowledge economy. ---The value streams of data: Generation, Collection, Analytics, and Exchange. Data Value Chain Background Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Study Design The Society 5.0 is aimed for a high quality of life that is comfortable, health, and well-being. Motivation: Human-centered society
  4. 4. RQ: How to accelerate and enhance people’s health and well-being in the IoT data value chain ? Research Question (RQ) Health & Well-being Introduction Research Aims Study Design Research Question Motivation: Society 5.0--Human-centered Society Toward High Quality of Life Methodology Conclusions Health is vital to the entire lifespan: from home through the workplace, from commute to work to fitness and even old age care homes. The networked sensors, either worn on the body or embedded in living environments, make possible to gather indicative information of health-related parameters.
  5. 5. Four-fold Aims Obj2: Develop continuous long-term monitoring solutions to support better health management. RQ: How to accelerate and enhance people’s health can well-being in the IoT data value chain ? Obj1: Enhance people dimension, especially health and well-being perspective in conventional IoT architectures. Obj3: Learn psychological and physical health impact from a group of people (e.g., workers) over the activities. Obj4: Accelerate health-related data sharing with security trust and privacy assurance. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Study Design Health & Well-being The main goal is to accelerate and facilitate health-related data-driven knowledge acquisition and data value chain to society, organizations and individuals, that leverages advanced technologies such as IoT, Smart Wearables, Distributed Ledger Technique, and machine learning techniques.
  6. 6. METHODOLOGY-big picture Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Study Design Health & Well-being
  7. 7. Study Designs Healthy Operator4.0 IAQ Monitoring System 12 3 4 Study 04 Study 02 Study 03 Study 01 Public Health PAPE Estimation Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design Ethical approval: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
  8. 8. Study 01-Data Monitoring Solution Indoor Air-Quality (IAQ) data-monitoring system. MAM: Masked Authenticated Messaging. Sensor specification. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 01 The Tangle is directed acyclic graph data structure at the IOTA. IOTA: The first open-source distributed ledger that is being built to power the future of the Internet of Things with feeless microtransactions and data integrity for machines. MAM is data communication protocol which adds functionality to emit and access an encrypted data stream. It can be used in multiple ways to control visibility and access: public, private, and restricted. The research developed an IoT and Distributed Ledge Technologes (DLT) based Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) data-monitoring system. The system is a light, low-cost, long-term solution enabled by blooming development of IoT and sensor technology, and it also enable customization because of users can freely choose pollutant sensors by a simple plug-in. It supports multiple pollutants data-monitoring, which will facilitate research community and practitioners for long-term and integrated multiple pollutants data-monitoring solutions. The main contribution from the study is not only the hardware layer involved, mainly of the provided flexibility but also because of the data released over a public tangle in both ways, consolidated summaries as well as stream dataflow, which overcomes the private clouds that providers used to adopt.
  9. 9. Study 01-Site Selection 5. Harvard Public Health, Green Building Office, Boston. 6. Harvard VR lab, Boston. USA 1. Advertising workshop, Fuenlabrada, Madrid. 2: Steel manufacturing factory, Illescas, Toledo. 3: UPM ETSII office, Madrid Spain 4. Steel manufacturing factory, Prague. Czechia USA Spain Czechia Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 01
  10. 10. Study 01-Data Collection Site 1 Advertising workshop, Fuenlabrada, Madrid. 2018-10-15—2018-11-15 IAQ monitoring system Site 4 Steel manufacturing factory, Prague. 2019-05-07—2019-07-15 IAQ monitoring system Site 2 Steel manufacturing factory, Illescas, Toledo. 2018-12-07—2019-01-11 IAQ monitoring system Site 3 UPM ETSII office, Madrid 2019-03-01—2019-08-01 IAQ monitoring system Site 5 Harvard Public Health, Green Building Office, Boston 2019-11-01—2019-12-15 IAQ monitoring system Site 6 Harvard VR lab, Boston. 2019-09-01—2019-10-01 IAQ monitoring system Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 01
  11. 11. Study 01-Data Analysis and Results Chemical environmental conditions in Site 2. Dashed line refers to Threshold Limit Value at daily average. • Recommendation strategy Phisical environmental conditions in Site 2. Dashed line refers to Threshold Limit Value. Time evolution of formaldehyde (HCHO) concentration in Site1. during the day 2018-11-10. Dashed line refers to STEL threshold. STEL: Short-Term Exposure Limit (15 min). Recommendation strategy flow diagram Distribution of C6H6 maximal average value during monitoring period in Site 1. Dashed line refers to STEL threshold. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 01 • Data Variation (either time or activity based)
  12. 12. Study 01-Summary 1. Sun, S.; Zheng, X.; Villalba-Díez, J.; Ordieres-Meré, J. Indoor Air-Quality Data-Monitoring System: Long-Term Monitoring Benefits. Sensors 2019, 19, 4157. (3.032 Q1 in ‘Instruments & Instrumentation’). 2. Zheng X, Sun S, Mukkamala RR, Vatrapu R, Ordieres-Meré J Accelerating Health Data Sharing: A Solution Based on the Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technologies. J Med Internet Res 2019;21(6):e13583.(4.924 Q1 in ‘ditigal health’). Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 01 Graphic Summary. OSH: Occupational Safety & Health; IAQ: Indoor Air Quality.
  13. 13. Study Designs Healthy Operator4.0 IAQ Monitoring System 1 2 3 4 Study 04 Study 02 Study 03 Study 01 Public Health PAPE Estimation Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design
  14. 14. PAPE Estimation The study employs different sensors such as e-beacon and indoor pollution monitors and combined outdoor and indoor data with spatiotemporal activity patterns to estimate the Personal Air Pollution Exposure (PAPE). (PAPE) refers to the amount (μg) of pollution being inhaled by an individual. Study 02 Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Methodology Study Design 02 Health & Well-being About 7 million premature deaths were attributed to air pollution annually, by the WHO. It is projected that, by 2050, air pollution will be the number one cause of environment-related deaths worldwide. Exposure to poor indoor air is a significant cause of productivity loss in the US, as productivity decreases by 0.5 to 5% per workplace, generating a loss of 20 to 200 billion US dollars annually.
  15. 15. Data Collection ▪ The Madrid air pollution monitoring network. ▪ Foobot indoor monitors. ▪ Location tracking system: time and location of an individual. The hourly averaged measurements of SO2, O3, CO, NO, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, C6H6, etc. Air quality Monitoring Network of Madrid. The minute-based measurements of PM, VOCs, CO2, etc. Study 02-Data Collection Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 02 Outdoors Indoors Tracking
  16. 16. Study 02-Data Modeling • Outdoor Pollution Modeling Numerical-modeling-based dispersion models. Big data, machine-learning-based models. Geostatistical-based techniques, like Kriging. Kriging methods estimate the value at a location by assigning a weight of the surrounding known values and calculating the weighted sum of the data. Interpolation technique is a simple, intuitive, and fast method. Kriging surpasses others as it provides an interpolation error estimate, and it is an accurate interpolation. • Indoor Pollution Modeling SZ(p) is the fully aggregated pollution value during the period from time ti to tn. VE (m3/min) measures the volume of gas inhaled by an individual. -To match timestamps recorded between e-beacons based indoor tracking data and indoor monitor data. -To aggregate indoor pollution values. Where VE ∈ (VER, VEW, VERT, VEC) VER = VE for activity type ‘Run’; VEW =VE for activity type ‘Walk’; VERT= VE for activity types ‘Rest’ and ‘Transport’; VEC = VE for activity type ‘cycle’. The PAPE in period p is calculated by multiplying the pollution value SZ(p) by the respective minute ventilation (VE) . Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 02
  17. 17. Study 02-Results Integrated Indoor and Outdoor PAPE. One day PM2.5 (μg/m3) Exposure Per Location, Activity Type, and Time Percentage. PM2.5 (μg) Exposure Variation Across Time. Greener Travel Routes. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 02
  18. 18. Study 02-PAPE Estimation Summary 1. Arano, K.A.G.; Sun, S.; Ordieres-Mere, J.; Gong, A.B. The Use of the Internet of Things for Estimating Personal Pollution Exposure. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 3130.(2.948 Q1 in ‘Public, Environmental & Occu- pational Health’). Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 02 2. Antón, M.Á.; Ordieres-Meré, J.; Saralegui, U.; Sun, S. Non-Invasive Ambient Intelligence in Real Life: Dealing with Noisy Patterns to Help Older People. Sensors 2019, 19, 3113.Sensors 2019, 19, 4157. (3.032 Q1 in ‘Instruments & Instrumentation’). Graphic Summary.
  19. 19. Study Designs Healthy Operator4.0 IAQ Monitoring System 1 2 34 Study 04 Study 02 Study 03 Study 01 Public Health PAPE Estimation Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design
  20. 20. Study 03-HO4.0 Architecture Safety & Health The Healthy Operator 4.0 (HO4.0) aims to address the concerns regarding increasing workforce stress levels, the state of psycho-social health and the new potential physical risks in Industry 4.0 paradigm. The Health Operator (HO4.0) is presented as a virtual system: the HO4.0 digital twin, gathering all the health- related information from operators and potentially enabling the learning of rules from the different behaviors. This does include benchmarks regarding the health impact of different operator routines, etc. The HO4.0 digital twin is powered by Industrial IoT networks, wearable technologies, ambient intelligence, and modeling technologies. It not only enables real-time health risk information, e.g., risk alert, but also make it possible to simulate the future behavior of operators; to infer and forecast the evolution from their behavior at mid-long- term ranges, aiming to reduce the operator’s cognitive and physical workload, and increase the operator's well-being such as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), job satisfaction, work-related affect, and enhance the workforce productivity in the Industry 4.0 context. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 03
  21. 21. Health Digital Twin of Humans Mood, Concentration, Cognitive. Stress control Physiological Heart Rate, Skin Conductance, Blood Pressure, Body Temperature, Psychological Physical Arm Angle, body posture. Preventing anti-ergonomic body movements and postures to avoid strain or injury Ergonomics Study 03-Digital Twin Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 03 Feet Pressure. Fatigue. Collision avoidance with moving heavy equipment, Air quality, Noise level, Lighting, Humidity Ambient
  22. 22. Study 03-Proof of Concept Physiological monitoring system Heart Rate, Blood Pressure The case selected is a logistic intra-facility in the steel manufacturing factory in Spain. The interest was in obtaining health-related knowledge of crane operators (7) in their working environment, who was in charge of loading trucks that deliver manufactured steel rebar bundles to build concrete structures in the construction sector. Case Selection MMR device Arm angle MMR device Steps Location tracking system/UWS IPS Position IAQ monitoring system from Study 01 Ambient Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 03 The data collection period is from April 2019 to July 2019 depending on the schedule of the research plan.
  23. 23. Study 03-Anlaysis and results Segmented per period of time. Segmented per operator The derived rules from the application of machine learning techniques looking at high differences in blood pressure and explaining the intense values. Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 03
  24. 24. Study 03-Health Operator 4.0 Summary 1. Sun, S.; Zheng, X.; Gong, B.; García Paredes, J.; Ordieres-Meré, J. Healthy Operator 4.0: A Human Cyber–Physical System Architecture for Smart Workplaces. Sensors 2020, 20, 2011. (3.032 Q1 in ‘Instruments & Instrumentation’). 2. Sun, S.; Zheng, X.; Villalba-Díez, J.; Ordieres-Meré, J. Data Handling in Industry 4.0: Interoperability Based on Distributed Ledger Technology. Sensors 2020, 20, 3046.(3.032 Q1 in ‘Instruments & Instrumentation’). Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 03 Graphic Summary.
  25. 25. Study Designs Healthy Operator4.0 IAQ Monitoring System 1 2 3 4 Study 04 Study 02 Study 03 Study 01 Public Health PAPE Estimation Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design
  26. 26. Study 04 Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 04 The study evaluated the health impacts of urban green space, specifically, on the dynamic element of transition between urban and natural environments. Two pairs of urban and urban nature environments in geographical proximity were selected to mimic urban dwellers’ daily commuting patterns. The physiological and psychological responses were evaluated during these environmental transitions. The high resolution curved-screen technology was used to minimize the psychological effects of personal VR wearing while still providing an immersive experience. Real-time wearable bio-monitoring sensors and standard validated psychological tests were used to assess participants’ physiological and psychological responses, respectively. Public Health-Transition Between Urban and Natural Space Immersive Simulation Biophilia hypothesis proposed by Harvard biologist Edward. O. Wilson, humans possess an innate connection with nature and other forms of life. Based on this hypothesis, emerging scientific evidence has shown that exposure to nature has significant physiological and psychological benefits, including stress recovery, improvement of cognitive functions, and increase in positive affect.
  27. 27. Study 04-Data Collection Subjects 173 healthy adults via Harvard Decision Science Lab in Boston. Physiological Data Heart rate and skin conductance level by Shimmer sensing. It enables >30 people simultaneously monitoring, larger scale of human subjects‘ participation. Psychological Data Profile of Mood States (POMS) The POMS is a psychological rating scale used to assess transient, distinct mood states. Environmental Data IAQ monitoring system from Study 01. Urban Boston Boston Park Immersive big screen Harvard VR lab + Insta360 Pro VR 360 8K Camera Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 04
  28. 28. Study 04-Experiment Urban Boston Boston Park Chen, M.; Yin, J., Sun, S.; Gabel, CH.; Yu, C.; Spengler, JD. Physiological and Psychological Responses to Transitions Between Urban and Urban Nature Environments Using Immersive Visualization. Environment International. Under Development. (8.763 Q1 in ‘Environmental Science’). Introduction Research Aims Conclusions Research Question Methodology Health & Well-being Study Design 04
  29. 29. Mapping of Research Outcomes. Health & Well-being Conclusions Limitations Future Work Sensor availability. Device measurement bias. Cultural impact. Big data analytic such as deep learning, Hadoop, and Spark can assist business associations and organizations to achieve improved understanding of data to make efficient and effective decisions.
  30. 30. Applied Devices Health & Well-being 1: Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring system https://gitlab.com/sunshengjing/iaq 2: Human physiological condition monitoring system https://gitlab.com/sunshengjing/healthy-operator-4.0-ho4 .0 3: Location tracking system. https://github.com/owntracks/docker-recorder 4: DLT based data sharing sytem https://gitlab.com/sunshengjing/interoperable-data-usag e-for-industry-4.0 Developed Systems
  31. 31. Publications Health & Well-being
  32. 32. Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor Professor Joaquín Ordieres-Meré for all the support during my doctoral study and research. I would like to thank my colleagues and collaborators Dr.Xiaochen Zheng, Dr. Bing Gong, Dr. Jie Yin, Dr. Javier Villalba-Diez, Prof. Carlos A. Iglesias, Prof. Jack D. Spengler, Prof. José-Fernán Martínez-Ortega, Prof. Sokhn Maria, Dr. Ganggao Zhu, Dr. Jesus Rodriguez, Dr. Yuanjiang Huang, Dr. Julia Ayuso Sanchez, Dr. Zhan Liu, Mr. Geovanny Poveda, Miss Beatriz Bustos and Mr. Magalhaes Miguel. Be thankful to all my family members, especially my father Xicheng Sun and my husband Ning Li, for supporting me throughout my life. Special gratitude goes to China Scholarship Council (CSC) for offering me the CSC scholarship. Thank You ! shengjing.sun@alumnos.upm.es

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Specific plants such as Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) are especially effective; Peace Lily thrives in low-light and maintains humidity, while Snake Plant tolerates low light, irregular watering, and releases oxygen at night, enhancing indoor air quality .

Title:

Content: Africa Has Its First Chief Heat Officer. Five Things Should Be On Her Agenda

24 February 2023
analysis

Freetown's heat officer can set an example to Africa and the world as temperatures and risks rise.

Eugenia Kargbo has an unusual job: she is the city of Freetown's chief heat officer. Her role in Sierra Leone's capital is the first of its kind in Africa. She has been tasked with raising public awareness about extreme heat, improving responses to heat waves, and collecting, analysing and visualising heat impact data for the city, which is home to 1.2 million people.

Freetown is increasingly threatened by dangerous temperatures. In 2017, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ranked Sierra Leone third, after Bangladesh and Guinea Bissau, on its list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The risks are concentrated in its capital and largest city, Freetown, where some 35% of the population live in 74 informal settlements like Kroo Bay, often in disaster-prone areas like the seafront or hillsides. Houses are densely built and typically temporary structures made of "heat trapping" materials. Services that supports cooling, such as water and electricity, are usually inadequate.

As an architect whose work includes researching ways to reduce heat in African cities, I think the creation of an Heat Officer position is a good move. The world's cities are almost all getting hotter and, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, temperatures will only keep rising.

But, while this is a global challenge, African cities are unique. The significant proportion of urban dwellers who are poor and those whose living conditions do not provide adequate shelter from the elements make the African context unique and deserving special attention.

With these realities in mind, here are five things I'd suggest should be on the agenda of both Kargbo and any other heat officer appointed elsewhere on the continent in future.

1. Take a diverse approach to urban greening

Nature-based approaches are a great way to address increasing temperatures linked to climate change. Scholars have established positive links between green infrastructure, temperature moderation and even health outcomes in African cities as well as elsewhere in the world.

This has informed a growing number of tree-planting initiatives and the development of urban parks. But it is important that municipalities move beyond only these kinds of spaces. African cities are becoming densely populated; that means less space will be available for greening initiatives on land.

Vertical systems of building (for example on walls, roofs, columns) and urban infrastructure (for example on bridges, road furniture) should be explored to make up for the lack of space on the ground.

In the last few years, I have led the design and development of experimental vertical gardens in low-income areas of Nigeria and Tanzania. We have shown that these vertical gardens reduce wall temperature of residential buildings by as much as 5°C in Dar es Salaam. The gardens have other benefits like providing fresh vegetables for household consumption. Similar ways of growing vegetation vertically have been seen elsewhere in the world, including in Mexico City.

2. Strengthen the link between heat and health

Exposure to extreme heat usually comes with health problems - and can even kill people, as I and many other scholars have documented. It exacerbates underlying health conditions.

One area of concern when it comes to the heat-health nexus in African countries is that mosquito numbers increase in higher temperatures. This means malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes might become significant problems for Freetown and other African cities.

These health problems are further complicated by the fact that many city dwellers across the continent can't access adequate and affordable health care. Community health initiatives within cities and efforts to ramp up health services in qualitative and quantitative terms must be integral to heat adaptation plans and actions.

3. Focus on early warning and improved awareness

It is far better to be proactive than reactive. Heat vulnerability patterns within Freetown and other African cities must be studied and used to make sense of weather predictions in order to inform warning systems.

In the warning systems, for example, an alert level can be triggered when the weather forecast shows three or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperature and humidity above a threshold of, say, 30°C. Other levels of alerts can correspond with higher temperatures. This sort of system has been implemented in Toronto, Canada, with good outcomes. A recent study of urban areas in Ontario (the province where Toronto is located) shows that early warnings may have meant fewer heat-related illnesses severe enough to warrant hospital or clinic visits.

4. Encourage the transfer of knowledge

Cities can adapt to heat faster when they share knowledge and experiences. Some scholars argue that inter-city collaboration and knowledge-sharing can enhance municipalities' resilience and improve urban residents' skills to deal with heat-related issues.

Kargbo's work will generate many lessons that can be shared with other African cities; she, too, will learn from other cities' successes and failures.

5. Let locals lead

While there is plenty to learn from more developed countries outside Africa, it is important to also draw from local indigenous knowledge and practices. An examination of knowledge and awareness about climate-related and environmental problems in African traditional society shows there is much to be learned from indigenous systems.

Top-down approaches are not enough. They must be complemented by bottom-up approaches in the planning, funding, execution and assessment of heat adaptation initiatives.

Inclusion is also important because it shifts power to those who are most affected by heat - people living in low-income and informal areas are disproportionately affected. Involving them enhances the impacts of initiatives and interventions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Olumuyiwa Adegun is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

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Title:

Content: Monday, 27 June, 2022, 1:59 AM
Advance Search
Home Op-Ed

Greener cities are critical to regional sustainability

Published : Monday, 27 June, 2022 at 12:00 AM  Count : 73
SARA AL-MULLA

From megacities to metropolises, cities of all kinds are experiencing an unprecedented spectrum of threats associated with climate change, necessitating a serious debate on the importance of transitioning toward greener cities in order to remain sustainable and resilient.

Currently, those living in urban areas make up just over half the global population. But this figure is projected to increase exponentially to a whopping 68 percent by mid-century, according to the UN. The modern urban landscape poses complex challenges for cities, as they are vulnerable to climate-induced hazards that threaten their economies and infrastructures and the well-being of their residents.

An influential 2018 report titled "The Future We Don't Want" - published by C40 Cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors, Acclimatise and the Urban Climate Change Research Network - revealed the manifold threats that cities are facing and will continue to face in greater intensity as a result of climate change. The report stated that 70 percent of cities are already feeling the wrath of climate change in the form of heat waves, rising sea levels, wildfires, storms and droughts. The fact that 90 percent of urban areas are coastal also poses a significant vulnerability to flooding due to rising sea levels and mass destruction from tsunamis.

By 2050, more than 45 percent of the global urban population is projected to live in cities with extreme summer temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius, leaving residents susceptible to dehydration, heatstroke, sleep loss, stress, cardiovascular disease and even death.

Many cities are currently counteracting these challenges, such as the case with Seoul, which implements a number of successful interventions when temperatures reach 33 C for two consecutive days. They include advisories to residents with practical advice and guidance to employers about allowing their outdoor workers to take breaks. The city has also installed shaded cooling centers in public locations, planted 16 million trees and expanded its green space by 3.5 million sq m.

The urgency of addressing climate change in the Middle East and North Africa has never been more critical, with UN experts projecting an urbanization rate of 59 percent by 2030. The region is already fraught with high temperatures, droughts, limited rainfall and scarce agricultural lands, and it is considered among the most water-stressed regions in the world. Climate-induced water scarcity alone is projected to cost MENA countries as much as 6 percent of their gross domestic product by 2050, according to the World Bank.

All of these challenges have important policy implications for city governments on how to balance economic growth while reducing environmental impacts and maximizing population well-being. The International Finance Corporation estimates the climate-centered investment opportunity for the MENA region to be $1.7 trillion.

Many cities have already implemented a vast range of interventions to bolster their resilience and successfully transition into greener cities. Chief among these actions is establishing a dedicated agency to plan, coordinate and manage climate-related strategies across the country. Regular extensive assessments of vulnerabilities and climate-related risks will inform decision-makers on the urgent and critical interventions needed.

Cities should also upgrade their infrastructure to ensure resilience in the face of extreme climate events, such as the flooding of drainage systems. Shifting to climate-smart infrastructure is an important step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources. For example, a number of cities are currently relying on renewable energy and solar energy to power large buildings.

Meanwhile, the government of Dubai has issued regulations for "green buildings" that elaborate on a number of climate-friendly solutions, including creating vegetated rooftops, reducing hazardous waste, limiting pollution and improving energy and water efficiency. Many cities are also experimenting with vertical forests, whereby a variety of plant species are grown on buildings, such as the ones in Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Utrecht.

Investing in climate-efficient public transportation and promoting the uptake of hybrid or electric vehicles will offer cleaner alternatives to fuel-reliant vehicles that amplify air pollution. To illustrate, the city of Santiago in Chile invested in electric-powered public buses, which do not generate emissions and cost a remarkable 70 percent less to operate than diesel-fueled buses. In tandem, guidance should be issued to enterprises on how to decarbonize their operations and shift toward electrification and digital solutions.

Launching mass greening and reforestation projects across cities can yield a number of benefits, such as cooling them during summer months and improving biodiversity. This can be done by planting trees to line streets and boulevards and creating gardens, grassy areas, public parks, flowery meadows, miniature urban forests and allotments. For instance, many cities offer allotments for urban farming and recreational gardening projects managed by residents, with an abundance of evidence pointing to improved physical and mental well-being, in addition to the growth of local, seasonal and organic produce.

Additionally, many countries, such as the UAE and Singapore, are capitalizing on vertical farming projects to maximize agricultural yield while relying on climate-friendly solutions to efficiently utilize water and energy.

City governments should also be creative with their public education campaigns to nudge the desired behavioral changes by residents, focusing on recycling, metered consumption and the reduction of wastage. Furthermore, MENA countries should invest in cutting-edge research and innovations related to climate change, which will empower cities to navigate an uncertain future and adjust their climate action plans accordingly.

When imagining the cities of tomorrow, a rather ambitious idea should be explored to include sustainability. By transforming its cities into greener cities, the MENA region can navigate the coming decades with enhanced resilience and competitiveness.
Source: ARAB NEWS

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Aloe Vera also aids in air purification and reduces indoor temperatures through transpiration .

For **temperature regulation**, vertical gardens cool indoor spaces via several mechanisms.

Through transpiration, plants absorb water and release it through leaf pores, cooling the air as water evaporates .

Evaporative cooling absorbs heat energy, reducing temperature, especially in dry climates .

Foliage provides shade, limiting direct sunlight and maintaining a cooler microclimate indoors .

Vegetation on facades acts as natural insulation, reducing heat absorption and lowering the need for artificial cooling .

Title:

Content: Spending Time in Green Spaces and Tending to Plants Can Increase your Well-Being
It seems gardeners are happier – and, likely, healthier.
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine polled people, and found that 55-percent of gardeners said they were satisfied with their life, compared to 39 percent of non-gardeners.
Also, 54-percent of gardeners reported feeling happier the previous day, compared to 45-percent of those who did not garden.
Experts say gardening enthusiasts benefit from getting out into nature.  And if they have a vegetable patch, gain the advantage of potentially eating more healthy foods.
It’s also thought that gardeners gain a sense of purpose, from seeing their carefully nurtured plants flower.
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editor, Lucy Hall, says, “The results of our survey demonstrate what we’ve seen anecdotally over the last two years—that gardening and gardens play a vital role in promoting wellbeing and happiness.  Throughout the pandemic, the popularity of gardening and visiting parks and open space rose dramatically as people connected with nature.”

Dig up more, here:  (Daily Mail)

  • A survey from a British gardening magazine finds that 55 percent of gardeners said they were satisfied with their life, compared to 39 percent of non-gardeners
  • They also note that gardeners benefit from getting out into nature, as well as the sense of purpose they likely get from seeing their flowers bloom
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Experimental vertical gardens in Nigeria and Tanzania reduced wall temperatures by up to 5°C, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating heat .

Title:

Content: Green Spaces Help Alleviate Loneliness in Urban Areas, Study Shows

Researchers say natural features in overcrowded environments help to make people feel more connected.

Despite their outward invitations of endless social potential and activities, densely packed urban environments often come with the hidden (and harmful) phenomenon of increased loneliness.

According to Dr. Vivek Murthy, former United States Surgeon General under President Obama, the global “loneliness epidemic” is an overlooked consequence of urban living that carries serious lifespan reduction risks.

“Look even deeper, and you’ll find loneliness is associated with a greater risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety, and dementia,” he told the Washington Post in 2017. “And if you look at the workplace, you’ll also find it’s associated with reductions in task performance. It limits creativity. It impairs other aspects of executive function, such as decision-making.”

While there are many ways to counter loneliness, such as redesigning urban architecture to help facilitate social interactions or making it easier for people to own pets, a new study also recommends adding nature into the mix.

The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, follows a review of assessments provided by more than 750 U.K. residents who volunteered to use a custom-built smartphone app for two weeks. The participants were queried randomly three times a day during waking hours using a technique called an “ecological momentary assessment.” In addition to questions about overcrowding and perceived social inclusion, the volunteers were asked about their natural surroundings: “Can you see trees right now?”; “Can you see plants right now?”; “Can you see or hear birds right now?”; and “Can you see water right now?” Feelings of “momentary loneliness” were then ranked on a five-point scale.

According to the more than 16,600 assessments received, overcrowded environments increased feelings of loneliness by a staggering 38%, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education level, or occupation. When people were able to interact with green spaces or hear birds or see the sky, however, perceived loneliness dropped by 28%. Social inclusivity, defined by the research team as feeling welcomed by a group or sharing similar values, also dropped loneliness by 21%.

“If loneliness is lessened by contact with nature, improving access to high-quality green and blue spaces (such as parks and rivers) in dense urban areas may help people feel less lonely,” the team writes

These findings appear to correlate with previous research into the mental benefits of walking through natural areas, a phenomenon known as “forest bathing.” A 2020 study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest decreases stress and promotes relaxation.

“Forest bathing is designed to invoke almost every sense: aromatherapy from the plants; the forest sounds of trees rustling, birds chirping, or water rushing; visual stimulation from the flora and fauna; and tactile sensations of the soft soil under your feet or the leaves in your hand,” writes Treehugger’s Maria Marabito. “Combined, these experiences work to deliver a stress-reducing therapy that improves physical health as well as psychological well-being. The forest air is cleaner than urban developments and the trees themselves contain phytoncides, antimicrobial organic compounds derived from plants known for a host of benefits, including boosting immune cells.”

While increased and interwoven sustainability in urban environments is often viewed as a key weapon in the fight against climate change, it’s clear that such measures will also be critical in improving our own well-being and curbing feelings of isolation.

As Johanna Gibbons, a landscape architect and member of the study research team, told the Guardian, cities are likely the only global habitat increasing at a rapid rate. “So we should be creating urban habitats where people can thrive,” she said. “Nature is a critical component of that because, I believe deep in our souls, there are really deep connections with natural forces.”

Vertical gardens also help combat the urban heat island effect by cooling air in densely populated areas .

Title:

Content: Home Garden What Are the Benefits of Growing Indoors

What Are the Benefits of Growing Indoors

Growing plants is for everyone but not everyone has a garden to grow them in. If you live in an apartment, in the city, or if you just don’t have the time to grow outdoors try growing inside.

Indoor growing is a great option for those of us who can’t grow outdoors – it allows you to grow plants for a healthier life. Let’s look at the various ways growing indoors can help us improve our livelihood.

Having Plants Around Is Healthy

It is well-researched that having plants around your home makes you feel more relaxed, healthier, and just have a better life. Plants help filter pollution and bad air, helping your home feel less stale, they are beautiful to look at, and they help remind you that there is an impermanence to life and to our time.

Plants react to the changes in our environment, our moods, our attention, and our care, which in turn makes us more caring and more engaged with the world around us. They provide us with peace of mind and a balance in life.

You Can Grow Healthy Foods

If you’re inclined, you can grow plants in a grow tent, which will expand the number of plants you’re able to grow indoors. These grow tents offer a great way to efficiently grow plants that you would otherwise be unable to grow – from interesting trees, palms, seedlings, orchids, and anything you are interested in!

What’s most exciting about this grow tent is that you’re able to grow plants and then give them to your loved ones or you can grow your food indoors! Who knew – all it takes is a container for your plants to grow healthy, the right lighting, and ventilation and you’ll be able to grow enormous, delicious, and healthy foods. Within just a few short months you’ll change your life for the better!

You Will Learn a New Hobby

Hobbies are what give us meaning – move beyond the confines of work and the expectations of a society that only values money and get involved with something that is just for you. Hobbies will give your time so much more value and excitement.

Taking care of plants is like taking care of a part of yourself and, in a way, it is – the more time you put into your plants the more you’ll get out of them. Grow everything from tomatoes to leafy greens to flowers and you’ll see how they turn your life into something more beautiful!

You Can Create a Work-Life Balance

Take a break from the stresses of work by growing plants in your home. Growing indoors is a great way to take a break from the constant ebb and flow and stresses of a society that demands a lot from us – taking care of something will help you grow just as your plants do!

Growing plants indoors improves the way we live and can have a major impact on the way we live our lives. Have a happier, healthier life simply by growing plants in your home, and take away the stress that builds up in your life by adding little green friends to your space.

**Mental health benefits** are significant.

The presence of indoor green walls reduces stress and anxiety, as studies show that seeing or interacting with plants lowers stress levels and blood pressure .

Title:

Content: 7 Bioclimatic Façade Strategies for Tropical Architecture

When we think of the word "tropic," the image that typically comes to mind is an exotic space, characterized by perpetual warmth and humidity, with frequent and heavy rainfall nurturing lush vegetation. Throughout history, this tropical climate has been romanticized as a paradise and criticized for potentially fostering weakness due to its perceived clemency.

Thankfully, those judgments and associations have been relegated to the past, paving the way for theoretical and practical projects that outline the advantages and disadvantages of living in a tropical climate. These projects acknowledge the various strategies to enhance human adaptability within these distinctive climatic conditions.

+ 15

Certainly, climate is the most pivotal element of the natural environment, as it impacts all geomorphological processes, from soil formation to plant growth. It's this profound interconnection that renders climate change so concerning. Hence, akin to how the natural environment reacts to climate, architecture must also be responsive to it.

In temperate climates, houses typically remain "closed" to shield occupants from harsh weather, retaining warmth. Conversely, in tropical climates, it's essential to "open up" the house to dissipate heat and humidity while shielding it from the sun and heavy rainfall. The abundance of tropical climate and vegetation often encourages outdoor living or greater interaction with nature. The main challenges in tropical architecture involve protecting against rain and direct sunlight, with a focus on strategies to regulate internal temperatures.

Bioclimatic strategies play a crucial role in achieving these objectives. They guarantee that buildings adapt to the local climate, boost energy efficiency, and enhance occupants' comfort. These strategies encompass principles and design techniques that leverage natural elements to establish sustainable architectures. By minimizing buildings' environmental impact and prioritizing occupants' well-being, these strategies collectively contribute to overall sustainability.

Since many of these strategies are implemented at the junction between a building's interior and exterior, we've listed below seven bioclimatic strategies and how they are applied to the facades of residential projects in tropical climates.

Shading Elements

Incorporating shade devices such as brise-soleil, cobogós, or other latticed structures on facades is crucial. These elements effectively block direct sunlight while allowing diffused light and natural airflow. This helps to minimize solar heat gain, reduce glare, and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

The Kenz House / Srijit Srinivas Architects

Casa Delta / Bernardes Arquitetura

Vegetation

Introducing vegetation on facades through vertical gardens, living walls, or planters can provide natural insulation, reduce heat absorption, and improve air quality. Plants also contribute to shading and evaporative cooling through transpiration, further enhancing thermal comfort and reinforcing the tropical ambiance within architecture.

Tropical Shed / Laurent Troost Architectures

Stepping Park House / VTN Architects

Ventilation Strategies

In tropical architecture, facades often incorporate operable windows or strategically positioned openings to facilitate cross-ventilation and natural airflow. This design approach effectively reduces humidity levels and improves indoor air quality.

Valley Expansion House / Studio Heya

OF House / Studio Otto Felix

Sun Orientation

Ensuring the correct solar orientation of buildings maximizes natural light penetration while minimizing solar heat gain. In tropical climates, designing buildings with a north-south orientation reduces direct sunlight exposure, particularly during peak heat hours of the day.

The House of Silence / Natura Futura Arquitectura

Country house in Puente Iglesias / Oficina de Arquitectura y Paisaje OAP + MDE estudio

Thermal Mass

Using materials with high thermal mass, such as concrete, stone, or adobe, in facade construction helps absorb and retain heat during the day. The heat stored during the day is gradually released at night, helping to stabilize indoor temperatures and reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems.

Discreet House / Jirau Arquitetura

Earth Farmhouse / Studio Verge

Reflective Surfaces

Using light-colored or reflective materials on facades helps minimize heat absorption by reflecting solar radiation. This reduces the need for cooling and helps mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Nagato House / RASA Architektura

House COVE(R) / TOUCH Architect

Adaptability

By integrating responsive facade systems like adjustable blinds or dynamic shading elements controlled by sensors or automation, buildings can adapt in real-time to environmental conditions. This real-time adjustment optimizes both energy performance and occupants' comfort.

Patio House / Caio Persighini Arquitetura

ABK House / Bernardes Arquitetura

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About this author
Cite: Ghisleni, Camilla. "7 Bioclimatic Façade Strategies for Tropical Architecture" [7 Estratégias bioclimáticas aplicadas nas fachadas da arquitetura tropical ] 10 Apr 2024. ArchDaily. (Trans. Simões, Diogo) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1015392/7-bioclimatic-facade-strategies-for-tropical-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

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During periods of isolation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with houseplants reported fewer incidents of anxiety and depression .

Green walls foster a connection to nature, alleviating loneliness and promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and cognitive benefits .

Title:

Content: Categories
News

10 Exquisite Indoor Plants for a Serene Home Oasis

Indoor gardening has become a popular trend, offering a calming retreat within the chaos of modern life. Not only do indoor garden plants enhance the beauty of our living spaces, but they also contribute to our well-being purifying the air and uplifting our mood. If you are looking to transform your home into a tranquil oasis, here are ten exquisite indoor plants that will do the job.

1. Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)
With its iconic split leaves resembling a piece of art, the Monstera Deliciosa brings a touch of tropical elegance to any space. Its lush green foliage and easy care requirements make it an ideal choice for plant enthusiasts of all levels.

2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The graceful white blooms of the Peace Lily symbolize peace and tranquility, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also purifies the air and thrives in low-light conditions.

3. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
The large, violin-shaped leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig add a touch of sophistication to any room. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and is a favorite among interior decorators.

4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
Renowned for its resilience and air-purifying properties, the Snake Plant features striking, upright leaves in various colors and patterns. It can tolerate low light and irregular watering, making it perfect for busy individuals.

5. Philodendron Birkin
The glossy, dark green leaves with creamy-white pinstripes of the Philodendron Birkin create a captivating visual appeal. This low-maintenance plant thrives in moderate light conditions, making it a versatile choice for any indoor setting.

6. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
The glossy, waxy leaves of the ZZ Plant add a touch of sophistication to any room. It thrives in low-light environments and is tolerant of neglect, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
The Spider Plant’s arching foliage, adorned with tiny plantlets resembling spiders, adds a playful charm to any indoor space. It is easy to care for and excellent at purifying the air, making it a versatile addition to any garden.

8. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
The cascading vines and heart-shaped leaves of the Pothos plant make it a classic choice for hanging baskets or trailing accents on shelves. Its adaptability to various light conditions and forgiving nature make it a favorite among indoor gardeners.

9. Calathea Orbifolia
The Calathea Orbifolia mesmerizes with its silvery-green leaves marked with intricate patterns. This plant thrives in moderate indirect light and appreciates consistent moisture, adding an artistic touch to indoor spaces.

10. Aloe Vera
Beyond its medicinal properties, Aloe Vera’s succulent foliage adds a refreshing touch to indoor gardens. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal watering, making it a versatile addition to any collection.

In conclusion, these ten exquisite indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also promote mindfulness and a connection with nature. Taking care of them provides a therapeutic experience, allowing individuals to unwind and find solace in nurturing living organisms. Transform your home into a serene oasis with these beautiful indoor plants.

Title:

Content: Planting, Watering and Healing: Surprising Health Benefits of Indoor Plants

The grass isn't always greener. Since the early 80's, scientists have studied the biophilia hypothesis – that seeing plants is beneficial to our physical and mental health. With increased urbanization, exacerbated by lockdowns due to a global pandemic, it's becoming harder and harder to ‘go out and get some air.'

The indoor plant market, already spiking in 2019, continues to surge – expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.

A study released by Data Bridge Market Research estimates the indoor plant market will reach $26.23 billion by 2029. The physical and mental health benefits of succulents and other indoor houseplants are important factors.

Many people may be surprised to discover the lesser-known benefits of indoor gardens, but experienced horticulturalists and gardeners have been advocating for the expansion of home gardens for decades.

Stress and Anxiety Reduction

The addition of real or artificial indoor plants has become a standard practice in many offices, hospitals, schools, and other institutions. According to researchers, just seeing a living plant in the otherwise sterile hospital waiting room environment has been shown to reduce stress levels.

In another study, subjects were asked to repot a living plant or complete a computer-generated task. Those who handled the plants reported feeling more at ease and also experienced lower blood pressure. Participants who performed the computer-based task reported higher levels of anxiety and elevated blood pressure.

Maria Failla, Garden Expert and host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast, shares, “When I was struggling with depression, it was helpful for me to keep plants indoors that helped me get out of my head and drop into the present. I'd see how many senses I could engage while taking 3 mindful breaths alongside my plants. Scented plants like herbs and geraniums are amazing for this. I love the rose-scented geranium for its romantic scent and the fuzzy leaves I could rub, pinch and take deep inhales with.”

Speed Up The Healing Process

A number of indoor houseplants, such as snake plants, orchids, and spider plants, have natural air purification qualities. Others improve a room’s humidity level or deliver a soothing fragrance. Microgreens also provide essential nutrients, making them ideal for patients in recovery.

Even seeing an indoor houseplant can improve a recovering patient’s mental and emotional state. One study concluded that installing indoor gardens in hospital rooms and public areas positively impacted overall recovery times and patient satisfaction.

Improve Mood During Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent household quarantines created a spike in indoor plant sales as many consumers discovered the natural air purification benefits of succulents and other plant species. Indoor gardening also provided isolated households with an activity that could be performed safely while under quarantine.

A study conducted in Bulgaria concluded that participants who maintained a home garden or raised houseplants had fewer incidents of anxiety or depression during enforced lockdowns than others who did not invest in plants or other greenery.

Cassidy Tuttle, gardening expert and owner of Succulents and Sunshine, observes, “Succulents are great plants for people who have depression. They don't require as much work as other plants, so they can tolerate the ups and downs that frequently come with depression. They stay looking healthy even if they're not watered regularly. Haworthiopsis fasciata, Zebra Plant, is an especially good option for indoor plants because it doesn't require a lot of light or water.”

Best Entry-Level Houseplants For Starting Indoor Gardens

Annie Schreck, Research Director at Mountain Crest Gardens, offers some insights and recommendations for beginners. “At Mountain Crest Gardens, we hear back from customers all the time that filling their homes and offices with succulents brightens their mood every day. The studies I have seen in this realm indicate that having plants around can correlate with improved student performance in classrooms and reductions in stress and sick days in workplaces. I certainly hope more researchers investigate these complex human-plant interactions.

Schreck adds, “There’s something about having other living creatures in a room that makes it feel cozy and inviting. Caring for them and seeing them respond is just so rewarding. And the great thing is, everyone gets to explore which varieties lift their mood the most! If you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend indoor succulents like Haworthia, Jade plants, and Gasteria.”

Snake Plants

Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata)—also known as mother-in-law’s tongue— are thick-leaved succulents prized for their resilience and tolerance for drought. They grow well under low-light conditions, which makes them ideal for indoor gardens and room decor.

One major health benefit of snake plants is natural air purification. This goes beyond the standard absorption of carbon dioxide, however. Snake plants also remove and filter toxic gases such as benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde. They are also said to reduce headaches, improve respiration, and reduce eye irritations.

Microgreens

Microgreens such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale offer a wide range of health benefits, and their compact size makes them ideal for indoor gardens, especially hydroponics. Microgreens and fresh herbs provide home gardeners with flavorful aromatics and salad ingredients.

Among the many health benefits associated with microgreens are blood sugar regulation, vision protection, body weight reduction, and protection from anemia. Growing microgreens is also a highly recommended activity for those recovering from substance abuse since the plants provide the nutrition many addicts lack.

Orchids

While some orchid varieties have earned a reputation for being a challenge to grow, there are many varieties that require only minimal to moderate care. Besides their exceptional qualities as flowering plants, orchids are also natural air purifiers and oxygen generators. As part of a floral arrangement or as individual blooms, orchids have been shown in studies to reduce stress and improve mood.

Orchids are also recommended for people with sleep issues since the plant’s significant oxygen generation and aesthetic qualities both help create more soothing conditions at bedtime and during overnight hours.

Spider Plants

Spider plants have become popular houseplants for first-time home gardeners because of their child and pet-friendliness, ease of propagation, and exceptional air-purifying qualities. Beginning gardeners only need a small cutting from an existing spider plant to start their own projects.

The trailing leaves of a spider plant make it ideal for hanging baskets, a popular growing technique for limited spaces. The plant also raises the room’s humidity level, which helps address respiratory issues triggered by dry air conditions.

Peperomia Plants

 Because of their ability to thrive in drafty, dark, and humid locations in the home, peperomia plants are often referred to as “radiator plants”.  Peperomia plants are succulents, which means they are naturally resilient to abuse and require minimal maintenance.

Tinctures and other products derived from peperomia plants are used to address a range of medical ailments, including headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney issues. The plant also has antifungal and antioxidant properties.

Jade Plants

Another popular succulent for indoor gardens is the ornamental and medicinal jade plant. The jade plant’s distinctive round leaves have become associated symbolically with the acquisition of money and wealth. The jade plant’s appeal goes beyond the ornamental, however.

Products derived from the juice of the jade plant have been used in many cultures for the treatment of ailments including diabetes, skin wounds, digestive issues, and warts. In traditional Chinese culture, the presence of a jade plant also improves the flow of chi, or life force.

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

Title:

Content: HealthOther News

Plants that clean the air in the house within 8 hours

SHAFAQNA SCIENCE- Scientists at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Australia, who investigated whether a vertical wall system fitted with indoor plants could mop up a mix of harmful compounds found in petrol vapors.

“Not only can plants remove the majority of pollutants from the air in a matter of hours,” says UTS environmental scientists, “they remove the most harmful petrol-related pollutants from the air most efficiently.”

They tested the Ambius vertical plant wall system using nine purpose-built perspex boxes containing four plants or none at all. A small volume of petrol was vaporized inside the chambers, and researchers measured the gas levels.

Source: sciencealert

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