Your garden to make a difference for the climate: discover how!

On November 11th, the COP29 will open in Baku, Azerbaijan. As you know, every year, delegations from 197 countries, made up of environmental scientists, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations, gather to track climate change, its consequences, and the progress of solutions to prevent global natural disasters. In the spotlight... reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industry and populations, the main driver of global warming.

The stakes are unsettling, even too complex and overwhelming, to grasp their importance for us, and especially for our children and grandchildren. Yesterday was Halloween in Quebec. Walking through the streets with our children in search of candy and monsters, it may have been the first time Halloween costumes were far too warm, and t-shirts were more comfortable than coats.

According to Météo Média, we broke records... 22°C in Montreal and Gatineau and 19°C in Val-d’Or. Whether or not we believe in the causes and effects of climate change, one thing is certain: Halloween 2024 will be a mental marker for us. And then... what will future Halloweens and summers be like? We all have that little voice inside us that keeps repeating: "It's not that bad, we'll adapt, and tomorrow is tomorrow with our daily lives to manage."

Several individual initiatives are possible, combining lifestyle and solutions to improve our environment

Starting mid-November, we will be exposed to worldwide media coverage of the COP29 proceedings, with analyses from over 6,000 scientists and reactions and interventions from the delegations of 197 countries, made up of several thousand policymakers. Geopolitical, economic, social, environmental, and scientific stakes will be presented, and debates of interest will clash, as they do every year.

In the end... as in Jacques Dutronc's song, "And me, and me, and me..." what can I do on my level? Well, several individual initiatives are possible, combining lifestyle and solutions to improve our immediate environment. For example... Our gardens can be transformed into efficient CO2 absorbers.

A green wall improves indoor air quality by absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen

Research shows that well-designed urban gardens actively contribute to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere and help lower ambient temperatures. On a global scale, the impact is limited. A study on urban domestic gardens demonstrated that reducing lawns and using compost can reduce a city's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 3%.

But how can you create a harmonious garden that effectively addresses environmental challenges? Several solutions exist, including naturalized gardens (see our article...) and green walls!

If you don’t have suitable walls, an alternative solution is installing a bioclimatic pergola in your garden

A green wall aesthetically adds a touch of zen and well-being. A sense of calm, comfort, and space.

If you don’t have suitable walls, an alternative solution is installing a bioclimatic pergola in your garden. Built with aluminum, the solid and durable structure provides an ideal support for the weight of a green wall.

The bonus lies in the adjustable slats of the bioclimatic pergola, which allow you to precisely control the ideal amount of light for the plants.

Regarding humidity management, make sure your bioclimatic pergola has a water drainage system to prevent problems caused by excess water. This system is integrated into Ombréa’s bioclimatic pergolas.

For plant selection, several options are available in Quebec, resistant to both our winters and summers. Here are some examples to achieve this project:

• English ivy: hardy, it withstands cold winters and periods of intense heat.
• Virginia creeper: grows quickly and attaches well. It’s cold-resistant.
• Clematis: adds a touch of mountain charm with its colourful flowers in spring and summer. However, it requires more attention regarding its sun exposure. It needs light.
  If this topic interests you, feel free to ask us. We’ll write a more detailed article about the possibilities for our Quebec climate.