Category: Climate Change

The Vertical Forest: A Green Oasis in Milan

In the bustling heart of Milan, Italy, the Bosco Verticale—also known as the “Vertical Forest”—stands tall as a remarkable fusion of nature and architecture. Completed in 2014, this innovative project redefines urban living by integrating lush greenery into high-rise buildings.

Key Features:

  1. Towering Greenery: The Bosco Verticale comprises two residential towers, soaring to heights of 111 and 76 meters. These vertical forests are home to over 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennial plants.
  2. Living Facades: The vegetation blankets the building facades, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle. Imagine a forest growing vertically, right in the heart of the city!
  3. Environmental Benefits:
  • Air Quality: The Vertical Forest acts as a natural air filter, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Cleaner air benefits both residents and the surrounding urban environment.
  • Temperature Regulation: The plants help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning in summer and providing insulation during winter.
  1. Urban Biodiversity: Carefully selected native plant species thrive in the microclimate created by the building’s height and orientation. Birds and insects find refuge in this green oasis, enhancing the ecological value of the cityscape.

Lessons for Sustainable Architecture:

The Bosco Verticale serves as an inspiring model for future urban development. It demonstrates that green spaces can harmoniously coexist with high-rise structures, promoting well-being for both humans and nature. As cities continue to grow, the Vertical Forest offers a blueprint for sustainable architecture—one where skyscrapers embrace green life.

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(1) Vertical greenery systems: from plants to trees with self-growing …. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00107-020-01583-0.
(2) Urban Vertical Forests: Revolutionizing City Landscapes. https://www.architectureadrenaline.com/urban-vertical-forests-revolutionizing-city-landscapes/.
(3) Vertical Vegetation: Green High Rises Aim To Transform the … – Architizer. https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/vertical-jungle-green-high-rises/.
(4) China is about to get its first vertical forest. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/05/china-is-about-to-get-its-first-vertical-forest/.
(5) Vertical Forests: The Advantages and Disadvantages [2024]. https://www.community-gardening.org/vertical-forest-advantages-and-disadvantages/.
(6) Vertical Forests: A Solution for Urban Pollution 2024 – ecoadvice.org. https://ecoadvice.org/vertical-forests/.
(7) Vertical Forest: Purpose, Importance, And Benefits. https://civilmint.com/vertical-forest/.
(8) Vertical Forest: A Sustainable Residential Building – urbanNext. https://urbannext.net/vertical-forest/.

Direct Air Capture: The Potential and Challenges of Removing Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere

Direct air capture (DAC) technology is gaining prominence as a powerful tool for mitigating climate change. By using industrial-scale machines, DAC directly removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Here’s how it works:

  1. The Process:
  • DAC systems utilize chemical sorbents (such as amines or metal-organic frameworks) that selectively bind to CO2 molecules as air passes through.
  • Once the sorbent is saturated, it is heated to release the concentrated CO2, which can then be stored underground or used in industrial processes.
  1. Advantages:
  • DAC can remove CO2 from the atmosphere regardless of its source, making it versatile.
  • It offers a potential solution for achieving net-zero emissions, especially in challenging sectors like aviation and agriculture.
  1. Challenges:
  • Energy Intensive: DAC requires significant heat and electricity to operate the machines and regenerate sorbents.
  • Cost: Currently, DAC costs range from $100 to $1,000 per tonne of captured CO2.
  1. Future Outlook:
  • Ongoing research and development aim to improve DAC efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • As technology advances, DAC could become a viable large-scale carbon removal solution.

Remember, addressing climate change requires innovative approaches like DAC. Let’s keep exploring ways to protect our planet! 🌍🌱


(1) These machines scrub greenhouse gases from the air – an inventor of …. https://theconversation.com/these-machines-scrub-greenhouse-gases-from-the-air-an-inventor-of-direct-air-capture-technology-shows-how-it-works-172306.
(2) To curb climate change, we have to suck carbon from the sky. But how?. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/carbon-capture-trees-atmosphere-climate-change.
(3) Atmospheric carbon dioxide capture by adsorption on amine … – Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-024-01737-z.
(4) Climate change: New idea for sucking up CO2 from air shows promise – BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64886116.
(5) Direct Air Capture – Energy System – IEA. https://www.iea.org/energy-system/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage/direct-air-capture.

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