Gardeners Can Slow Global Warming

The term "global warming" is a hot topic on the news lately. As the debate continues over who is responsible, what we can do, and if it even exists, we can make our backyard gardens more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

A new report published by the National Wildlife Federation offers gardeners ideas to battle global warming in their own backyards. The report, "The Gardeners Guide to Global Warming: Challenges and Solutions", outlines practical ideas for gardeners with even simple backyard gardens to combat climate change.

The report suggests gardeners reduce their use of gasoline powered tools such as mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers. Use electric-powered tools, or even better human-powered tools. Installing outdoor compact fluorescent bulbs is also an energy-saver.

The paper encourages gardeners to plant native species in their gardens to combat invasive species. Invasive species encroach on natural local resources.

To reduce water consumption in your garden, consider mulching, creating rain barrels, adjusting your watering schedule, or using drip irrigation. Decreasing water use is especially important in states that experience heat waves and droughts.

Developing a rain garden, which captures storm run-off, can help reduce water pollution by preventing it from entering lakes and rivers.

Composting kitchen waste can significantly reduce your contribution of the gas methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere. There are commercial composters you can buy, but all you really need is a small place in your garden. Compost makes a wonderful treatment for your garden plants - a great alternative to chemical fertilizers.

Building a "greenroof" on your home can reduce storm run-off, cool your home during the summer and warm it during the winter months. This, in turn, will reduce your home energy costs.

Planting tress can also combat global warming. Growing plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), another greenhouse gas. According to the report, "If every one of America's 91 million gardening households planted just one young shade tree in their backyard or community, those trees would absorb 2.25 million tons of CO2 each year."

While the news media generally focuses on the negative repercussions of global warming and its affect on the environment, it's important for us not to lose sight that we have tools available to us to change. "The National Wildlife Federation report will help gardeners understand the predicted impacts of global climate change on plant species, and gives them practical tools to address this urgent problem," states Marian Hill, Conservation Chairman of the Garden Club of America, who co-wrote the foreword to the report.