New research suggests that growing trees and other plants near factories could reduce pollution by almost one- third.
More plant life may even cost less and be more effective (有效的) than technology designed to cut pollution, a new study found. Researchers collected data about air pollution and plant life in 48 cities. They studied public records from every city.
The researchers knew that trees and plants are taking in large amounts of harmful air. So they tried to find out whether new plants could reduce air pollution.
The study tried to show how this vegetation (植被) could reduce the pollution, including the production of energy from coal, oil and gas. The researchers found that growing plants, where possible, could cut air pollution by about 27 percent in the areas studied. They also found that in 75 percent of the areas, it would cost less to use plants and trees to reduce air pollution than to add new air cleaning technology.
"The fact is that traditionally, especially as engineers, we don't think about nature," Dr. Bakshi, said. "We just focus on putting technology into everything."
"To solve air pollution problems, people need to start learning from the nature and respecting it," Bakshi said. He added that nature-based methods could result in "win-win" solutions that save money and are better for the environment.
The study couldn't tell which kinds of trees or plants would be best at reducing air pollution. But Bakshi said they might make a difference in air quality, so further study is needed.
The researchers said that more trees and plants could help lower air pollution levels in both cities and rural areas. However, success rates (比率) would be different depending on how much land can be used and its air quality levels.
