Terrylynn's Blog

The West Coast Green 2008 conference in San Jose

this week was full of exhibits, speakers and wonderful ways to make a difference in the future green efforts for our planet earth.

As you know, Carbon dioxide is generated as a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels or the burning of vegetable matter, among other chemical processes. 

Wikipedia says - Carbon Dioxide

• In the recent past, transfer rates due to photosynthesis and respiration and including decay, were just about even. However, more carbon dioxide is being deposited in the Earth's atmosphere, than is being removed.
• In 1850, atmospheric carbon dioxide was about 280 parts per million (ppm), and today it is about 350 ppm. This increase is believed to be due to the burning of wood and fossil fuels and the destruction of forests to make way for farmland and pasture.^[3]
  
  

Plants are living things and as such promote the exchange of Carbon dioxide is used by plants during photosynthesis to make sugars which may either be consumed again in respiration or used as the raw material to produce polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose, proteins and the wide variety of other organic compounds required for plant growth and development. It is produced during respiration by plants, and by all animals, fungi and microorganisms that depend on living and decaying plants for food, either directly or indirectly. It is, therefore, a major component of the carbon cycle.

This beautiful backdrop or room divider is actually a living wall.  It is framed in redwood and the color and variation you see is all succulents.  Cactus in pots installed horizontally in the framework to make a beautiful visual living wall.  The purpose of living walls is to add life to a space.  And along the way mitigate some of the excess C 02 in our atmosphere.  What a practical and beautiful way to take baby steps in our journey to keeping our planet Green!