Implementing green spaces within the city of Syracuse provides numerous counts of positive impacts, especially at an environmental viewpoint. Among the various environmental issues being experienced in the world today, Syracuse is experiencing a handful including air pollution, the urban heat island effect, storm water overflow, etc. Green spaces, or any area consisting of vegetation such as trees, shrubs and grass, aid in resolving some of these issues.
Carbon dioxide is a common air pollutant in dense cities. Luckily, trees and shrubs can remove these pollutants out of the air. One single tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere on an annual basis! That is equivalent to 11,000 miles of carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Trees and shrubs reduce this atmospheric carbon through a process called carbon sequestration, or when vegetation hold carbon in a liquid form.
Green spaces also reduce urban heat island effects. Syracuse has an abundance of flat, dark surfaces that are typically made of concrete or asphalt. These types of surfaces attract and retain heat extremely well, causing cities to be significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. However, the planting of trees can shade these surfaces and can significantly decrease city temperature by approximately 1-5 degrees Celsius. Green roofs are another innovation that can result in city cooling. The vegetation on these roofs can absorb an exceptional amount of solar radiation due to its high elevation, as well as save and conserve energy.
For years, the city of Syracuse has had an issue with maintaining storm water runoff. Without proper maintenance, septic systems can potentially overflow due to the entrance of pollutants into waterways. However, green spaces can absorb water, especially in comparison to paved ground. Planting vegetation to collect storm water is cheaper and more efficient than concrete sewers and drainage ditches. Along with storing storm water, a proper green space can monitor water quality by limiting the amount of nitrates leaching from soils and entering waterways.
Carbon dioxide is a common air pollutant in dense cities. Luckily, trees and shrubs can remove these pollutants out of the air. One single tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere on an annual basis! That is equivalent to 11,000 miles of carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Trees and shrubs reduce this atmospheric carbon through a process called carbon sequestration, or when vegetation hold carbon in a liquid form.
Green spaces also reduce urban heat island effects. Syracuse has an abundance of flat, dark surfaces that are typically made of concrete or asphalt. These types of surfaces attract and retain heat extremely well, causing cities to be significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. However, the planting of trees can shade these surfaces and can significantly decrease city temperature by approximately 1-5 degrees Celsius. Green roofs are another innovation that can result in city cooling. The vegetation on these roofs can absorb an exceptional amount of solar radiation due to its high elevation, as well as save and conserve energy.
For years, the city of Syracuse has had an issue with maintaining storm water runoff. Without proper maintenance, septic systems can potentially overflow due to the entrance of pollutants into waterways. However, green spaces can absorb water, especially in comparison to paved ground. Planting vegetation to collect storm water is cheaper and more efficient than concrete sewers and drainage ditches. Along with storing storm water, a proper green space can monitor water quality by limiting the amount of nitrates leaching from soils and entering waterways.