Green Facade Promotes Sustainability

This photo was taken on the UMD campus in mid September. It shows a green facade with grape vines growing up the walls of a classroom building as well as a pollinator garden. This garden and green facade are supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 for sustainable industrialization by cooling the building without use of fossil fuels, and providing an environment for insects and birds as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing space in an otherwise concrete environment. These vines provide shade and protection to the building, reducing the amount of solar radiation which reaches and is absorbed by the brick. The plants use the sun's energy for photosynthesis and help clean the air and reduce carbon dioxide. Additionally, the plants provide a food source (grapes) for birds, flowers for pollinators, and a home for insects which are native to the area. Additionally, the garden is aesthetically pleasing which allows for not only sustainability of energy and biodiversity, but also of the mind.

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