Artificial photosynthesis helps plants grow with no sunlight required
Plants use a special natural process called photosynthesis to grow, mature, flower, and produce fruit. Photosynthesis is the way in which plants absorb energy from sunlight and use it to make their own food out of carbon dioxide and water. For years, scientists have been investigating this Read More...
Basel knows how to increase urban green space: make it mandatory
Research shows that urban greenspace not only enhances air quality but also supports biodiversity and the mental health of residents. The city of Basel, Switzerland has successfully interjected greenery into its concrete jungle by making urban greenery (and all of its benefits) a legal requirement Read More...
Montreal’s eco-grazing program raises the “baa” in urban agriculture
We at The Optimist Daily have written quite a lot about the importance of green space and urban farming… so why not add urban livestock for eco-grazing, too? Inspired by a similar project in France, professional sheepherders in the French-Canadian city of Montreal made a deal with officials Read More...
Have a green thumb but no garden? AllotMe can help.
Gardening is a pastime with a multitude of benefits for the environment and general health. The lockdown has seen a surge in people investing in their gardens—that is, of course, if they are fortunate enough to have space for them. The National Allotment Society reports that in the UK alone, Read More...
Meet Cheyenne Sundance: The young advocate for urban agriculture
Cheyenne Sundance is a young Toronto resident passionate about urban farming. She believes that it can be a viable career, however, she also realizes that for many underprivileged communities, getting into urban agriculture just isn’t realistic. She states that “there is so much systemic Read More...
Paris will soon be home to the largest rooftop urban farm in the world
With 65,000 square feet of warehouse rooftop space dedicated to growing all sorts of produce, New York City’s Brooklyn Grange is one of the largest urban farms in the world. Next year, however, the urban farm will seem like a dwarf in comparison to a new urban farm soon to open in Paris. The Read More...
Urban agriculture is sprouting in Africa
The recent development of urban agriculture is not limited to the rooftops of Brooklyn and the community gardens in San Francisco. The phenomenon is surging is African cities, as rural populations are flooding to urban centers in search of better opportunities. In some places, it was sowed by Read More...