British government studying ways to make the country greener

Britain’s official statisticians have developed an algorithmic technology that can measure how green are all the British gardens in a bid to help combat flooding and reduce pollution and CO2.

The reasoning behind this study is that more vegetation gardens have, then the more cities and towns can clean up the air that their residents breathe and the better they can soak up run-off water to combat floods. Vegetation also cools cities, particularly as heat climbs.

Within any town or city, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be able to pinpoint the proportion of vegetation in every garden versus the amount of paving, patios, decking or rockery.

It is critical with the onset of climate change because it will enable planners to establish how well each town and city’s vegetation can soak up carbon dioxide and withstand flooding. Town planners can then adapt public policies to encourage residents to make their gardens greener.

The research is important because the United Nations predicts the proportion of the population worldwide living in cities will rise from 54 per cent to almost 70 per cent by 2050.

Via The Telegraph