7th September 2023
Where it is not possible to plant a tree, or as an interim measure, we could grow green walls. Green walls are where climbing plants are grown either directly against, or on support structures integrated on the outside walls of a building. Growing plants such as ivy on the outside walls can reduce internal temperatures by about 2.5C. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261916313824
A step up from green walls are living walls. These “are constructed with planter boxes or felt; these do not require the plants to be climbing, they often need to be irrigated and plants for intensive green roofs are frequently suitable for these systems.” * Such walls can sometimes be seen on the sides of tower blocks – offices and hotels – and can presumably provide a green overcoat for buildings that outstrip the height to which plants can naturally grow.
*https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-features/green-walls
The Green Tau 