Climate change, also known as global warming, is the rise in average surface temperatures on Earth. Although greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide are naturally present in the atmosphere, its presence is rapidly increased by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, coal, and oil. These cause heat to be trapped, causing significant changes in the ecosystem, including in your garden.
Projected Effects of Climate Change
Even the smallest changes in the atmosphere can have significant and drastic effects. Some of the projected and current impacts of climate change are evident in Canada and can be easily seen at home, including:
- Increased activity of invasive pests, and animal and plant species posing risks to the ecosystem
- The rise of sea levels resulting in an increased likelihood of storm damage, accelerated erosion, and flooding
- Increased temperatures leading to hotter summers, resulting in increased risks of forest fires and heat-related health issues
- More extreme and unpredictable weather, increasing risks of droughts and floods
How Climate Change Affects Your Garden
Numerous warning signs indicate that steps have to be taken to diminish carbon emissions. As there are strong links between gardens and natural variables (such as rainfall and temperature), there are many challenges for gardeners brought about by the changing climate:
- There is a change in plant distribution
Due to the change in temperature, colder regions have become more hospitable to plants. Some invasive and non-native plants have expanded, taking advantage of vulnerable ecosystems and outcompeting plants that are native to the area. Many of these problematic species are more likely to thrive under the new weather conditions and continue to move to new areas. This also means that plants native to a place will no longer be able to survive. - Leaf and bloom dates are affected
The warmer temperatures and changing rain and snow patterns are causing plants to bloom earlier. This creates an unpredictable growing season. The increased temperatures do not only affect cold-weather plants as rising temperatures harm even warm-weather plants like tomatoes. - There is more greenery in colder regions
In snowy regions, the introduction of new plants does not only disrupt the existing ecosystem. Satellite images depict a greening effect. While this may sound like a good thing, the concern is that vegetation absorbs sunlight instead of reflecting them the way snow and ice do, causing more warming. Furthermore, the thawing of tundra also leads to the release of methane, contributing to atmospheric warming. - There is more pollen
Longer plant seasons means that there is an increase of pollen counts and allergy season is longer. The relationship between birds, insects, pollinators, and other wildlife and plants are also disrupted.
How Gardening Helps in the Fight Against Climate Change
Gardeners are the frontmen of the fight against climate change. Gardening in urban areas has a remarkable range of benefits, including:
- Increased production of oxygen
One of the more significant advantages of maintaining a garden is that it puts oxygen into the atmosphere. Oxygen is a waste product of photosynthesis, released as plants combine sunlight, nutrients, and carbon dioxide into the materials they need. - Reduce pollution
If more people grow their own food, pollution is reduced as the demand for packaged food decreases. Additionally, some plants are known to scrub the air, although only by minute amounts. English ivy, chrysanthemums, and lady palms all thrive in moderate climates (be sure to move the lady palm back indoors during the winter months).
In addition to environmental benefits, keeping a garden is also good for your mental, physical, and emotional health:
- You eat fresh and nutritious food
Serving fresh fruits and vegetables on your dining table is fantastic for you and your family. Growing food in your garden means you can be sure that what your family is eating is free from harmful chemicals and additives. - Gardening keeps you active
Gardening is a moderate- to high-intensity exercise. Light gardening and yard work can burn as much 330 calories in just an hour. A few minutes of garden work can decrease your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
What You Can Do to Help in the Battle Against Climate Change
While predictions regarding the fate of the planet may be grim, it is not too late to turn the situation around. Starting from your home, you can incorporate changes that will ultimately aid in the fight against global warming. As a gardener, here are some ways you can help in the battle against climate change:
- Reduce water consumption
Reducing water consumption can go a long way in fighting global warming. There are many ways to save water while caring for your garden, including installing rain barrels, mulching, using drip irrigation, and adjusting your watering schedule. - Improve energy efficiency
Switch to energy-efficient machines and appliances to decrease your energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint. Small changes like installing outdoor automatic light timers, using solar-powered gardening machines, or replacing outdoor lights with efficient LED bulbs are some ways you can make your garden more eco-friendly. - Reduce the use of gasoline-powered yard tools
Using manual, human-powered tools (like hand clippers, push mowers, and rakes) instead of gasoline-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers when tidying up in your garden can reduce pollution. - Plants trees that absorb carbon dioxide
Not only can trees absorb as much as a ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere the shade they provide can also lessen the energy consumed to cool your home during the warmer seasons. - Compost kitchen and garden waste
Composting household wastes can significantly decrease your contribution to carbon pollution, primarily by reducing methane output. Organic materials like kitchen waste rot in trash heaps, producing methane gas. If properly composted, they do not produce methane.Compost is also a great source of nutrients for your plants, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Reduce the threat of invasive species and incorporate diverse native species instead
Replacing invasive plants with a variety of local alternatives can lessen the risk of invasive species. Native plants also help maintain important pollinator connections and provide food sources for wildlife.
Gardening Tips for the Climate Change Era
Caring for a successful garden while the Earth’s climate is going through significant changes can be challenging. Your garden has to be resilient to withstand extreme weather. Here are some tips on what you can do so your garden can cope with global warming:
- Put the right plants in the right spot
Some plants do better in extreme heat while others do not. The soil in your garden can have an impact on plants’ ability to thrive. Stick to native species for plants that will thrive in your garden. - Use permeable surfaces
Absorbent surfaces through which water can drain, like gravel, can help in water conservation. Make sure that water is going into beds, into a soakaway, or into a water storage area.
Installing easily accessible rainwater harvesting units will allow you to pump stored rainwater into the garden. This won’t just save you money on your water bill; it will keep your footprint lower and help reduce your overall impact on the environment. - Keep your soil healthy
Mulch your soil with well-decomposed organic material every autumn and spring. Mulching helps break up clay soils, introducing air into the earth as the worms bring down the organic matter. The more air and holes there are in the ground, the easier it will absorb rainwater.
Keeping a garden is good not only for your health but for the planet’s fight against further environmental damage. Even if you’re blessed with a green thumb, some yard work is best left to the professionals, for safety and efficiency purposes.
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Make an appointment with us by calling our toll free number 1-800-363-0511, or call (905) 775-1020 to reach our Bradford office and (905) 884-0511 to reach our Richmond Hill location.