Ethical Gardening to Save the World

Keeping a garden or caring for plants can be a restorative activity for both the body and mind. Being immersed in greenery, in fact, is not only good for the Planet, but also for those who tend to it, contributing to their overall well-being. However, not all ways of gardening are equal, and unethical choices that do not take climate implications into account can do more harm than good. To truly contribute to the well-being of the Earth, numerous factors must be considered so that ethical gardening can actually take place.



What it really means to garden

Gardening does not exclusively mean taking care of plants. A garden, in fact, is a small world composed of a multitude of species and abundant life. Caring for it means caring for the mammals, reptiles, and birds that inhabit it, and taking care of the soil, insects, and microorganisms within it. The simple actions that make up gardening can contribute to the well-being of the Planet, provided they are done the right way.

What is important to know for those who wish to make a difference with their work is that large plots of land are not necessarily needed to achieve positive results: small terraces and balconies adorned with plants are enough to contribute, through one's actions, to the well-being of the Earth.

According to an analysis based on Istat data from the last four years, 68% of Italians buy plants to decorate homes, terraces, and gardens: these products constitute a resource with enormous potential for the fight against climate change. These plants, in fact, are not mere ornaments, but natural tools with which to improve air quality, lower average temperatures and, in general, curb the negative effects of climate change.

However, the great potential of "home" gardening can only be realized if the right plants are chosen and if the way they are cared for is as sustainable as possible, especially regarding the necessary water investment, which plays a role that should not be underestimated in large cities, which are subject to incredible water stress.

Climate change and water stress

The entire planet is currently subject to unprecedented water stress. It is not just a matter of resource scarcity, which puts the survival of species to the test, especially during this phase of excessive drought caused by climate change. In fact, recent research by the World Resources Institute has shown that population growth and increasing general needs are leading to a growing demand for water, which cannot be met in the long term. And it is precisely from this data that we must start when choosing the type of plants you want to have at home, or even the type of urban greenery chosen in large cities. This is because, while the presence of plants brings great benefits to the overall well-being of those who live in a given area, it must not cause excessive water waste.

Growing ornamental plants that are unable to withstand the climate conditions on their own and require a lot of water can cause more harm than good. Over the past few summers, for example, a large number of trees and plants planted in large cities to contribute to urban greenery did not survive the heat and drought.

If keeping trees and plants alive in public parks or on your balcony requires using a lot of water or employing chemical herbicides, what is being done is not really helping the planet and does not allow us to combat the effects of climate change. So, how can we garden ethically?

Ethical gardening

Ethical gardening means not damaging the delicate balance of ecosystems with cultivation choices. It involves the protection of water resources, through the choice of varieties and techniques that allow plants to withstand the climate, for example by favoring low-water-use plants for private gardens and balconies, and resilient trees in municipal parks, such as oaks and lindens, which easily withstand periods of greater drought. Ethical gardening requires particular attention to biodiversity, thus avoiding monocultural plantings and always preferring mixed plantings, which enrich the soil with the different properties of each plant. Finally, to be ethical, gardening cannot involve the use of chemicals, fertilizers, and herbicides that damage the soil and the creatures that inhabit it.

Gardening is not exclusively an aesthetic practice, but a way to give back to the Planet as well. Plants, lawns, and trees are essential for curbing the effects of climate change, reducing the presence of carbon dioxide in the air, filtering it from harmful fine particles caused by industry, and lowering average global temperatures. Gardening is a philosophy, more than a practice, with often underestimated potential, but if done ethically, it can truly make a difference for the well-being of all inhabitants of the Earth.