Yards and Gardens

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through ´smartµ gardening

c

 
 
 
 { estion«

What does climate change have to do with

my backyard?


 
 
 
 Jey Learning Points

c We can red ce o r energy se, seq ester GHGs, and protect against
climate impacts with landscaping
c We can red ce o r food related GHG emissions by growing food

c Strategies for low-emissions yard care and o tdoor living

c Composting red ces waste GHG emissions from waste

c Climate change will change o r yards and gardens


 
 
 
 mission So rces

Heating and cooling o r homes

Food prod ction

Fertilizers

nergy in machinery and o tdoor heaters

mbodied emissions in f rnit re and tools

Waste sent to a landfill

ë
  



 
 
 
 Impacts: Upper Willamette
Basin

ë wemp increase of 2-4o F by 2040 and 6-8o F by 2080.

ë Average s mmer temps p by 4-6o F by 2040
ë Major storm events increase in intensity
ë Ann al precipitation not likely to change b t more in
winter/spring and less in s mmer/fall
ëSnowpack decline 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2095.
ë Wildfire increase in low elevations ca sing shift in vegetation and
habitat
 What can gardeners do?

c resign landscape for energy

efficiency
c Build resilience
c Grow food
c Red ce se of fossil f els
c Decrease embodied emissions
c Protect the soil
c Conserve water

 
 
c Compost  
 Red ce Home
nergy Use with
nergy fficient
Landscapes

ë
    


 
 
 
Saving nergy in wemperate
Climates

Winter Strategies Summer Strategies

c Maximize s nlight c Minimize s nlight

c Minimize wind c Maximize breezes


 
 
 
Shading Homes


 
 
 
  ther Shading Strategies

c Use a large b sh or row of shr bs to

shade a patio or driveway.

c Plant a hedge to shade a sidewalk.

c B ild a trellis for climbing vines to

shade a patio area.

c Shade yo r A/C nit




  
  

  

 
 
 
 C tting Wind-Chill

c Windbreak trees sho ld grow to twice the height of the

b ilding.

c Wind c rves aro nd the ends of a windbreak. Windbreaks

sho ld be long in relation to their height. (10 x height).

c whe most effective area of a wind break is at a distance 4-6 x

windbreak height.

c Use shr bs, 4-5 ft. from home in compact, rban areas.


 
 
 
Activity: Design a Landscape
for nergy fficiency

c Design a site that red ces energy demand

c Indicate what treatment goes where

c wree/shr b/vine/gro ndcover
c vergreen/decid o s
c Height at mat rity


 
 
 
xample


 
 
 
Where are food emissions in
US?


 
 
 
Food is 13% of US GHG missions


 
 
 
Grow food to red ce emissions and
prepare for climate impacts

d    


 
 
 
Decrease yo r se of fertilizers


 
 
 
 What abo t lawns?

   

Ú an Jailed for Brown Lawnµ


 
 
 
 P sh Mowers
and Rakes
Avoid
missions!

ë
  

ë

  
 
 
 
Gardener comm nities can
red ce embodied emissions

ë
d
 


 
 
 
Also Consider:
ëBB{

ëPatio Heaters

ë  tdoor living

©  


 
 
 
 Compost

eggshells, fruit and veggies waste,

coffee grinds and filter paper,
corncobs, grass clippings (limited),
leaves, woody material, pine
needles, straw and hay, shredded
newspaper, sawdust, teabags,
worms and other natural
composters

d    

diseased plant material, weeds that

have gone to seed, meat, bones,
cheese, oils, salad dressings (no fats) 
 
 
 
 How might climate change
impact o r gardens?

USDA Plant Hardiness Map, 1990: 
 

 
http://www. sna. sda.gov/Hardzone/ shzmap.html  
 Building Resilience in Outdoor
Spaces

- Heat and related illnesses

-Water shortages

-Increased vector-borne diseases

-Risk of property fires and flooding

oeriscapes


 
 
 
 Activity: Revise Yo r
Landscape

Reduce Emissions Build Resilience

c nergy efficient landscape c Protect against:
c Grow food c Heat
c Red ce se of fossil f els c Fire
c Decrease embodied emissions c Flood
c Protect the soil c Storms
c Dro ght
c Conserve water
c Compost


 
 
 
 Acknowledgements

c Developed by the University of  regon Climate Leadership

Initiative

c Information contrib ted from Benton Co nty Climate Master

presentations by Linda McMahan and Weston Miller