Can we learn from moss? We tend to ignore it — or try to get rid of it. But a new study shows that moss could play a big role in helping us to fight climate change.
X
Next
The humble spongy superhero beneath your feet
Can we learn from moss? We tend to ignore it - or try to get rid of it. But a new study shows that moss could play a big role in helping us to fight climate change.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
"Beautiful," says the gardener, looking at his perfect green-striped lawn. Suddenly, he gasps. He has spotted his biggest enemy: moss!
Now, some scientists say the gardener should rethink. He should be happy to see moss, not upset, they say.
Moss are the superheroes of the plant world, say some experts. They fight air pollutionThe presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems. and keep the soil healthy. They help other plants grow and can survive in both very hot and very cold places.
Mosses are plants. But they do not have roots, flowers, fruits or seeds. Even so, there are 22,000 different types of moss.
Find out more
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a moss scientist and authorWriter.. For her, mosses were love at first sight. She thinks we should live a bit more like moss.
Mosses have lived through every change in the climate that has ever happened. She thinks they can teach us to be more resilientTough or able to cope with difficulty. . Some can survive even 40 years without water.
But, of course, humans live in a very different way to moss. Some think there is only so much we can learn from a plant.
X
Previous
Can we learn from moss?
Yes! Plants can teach us to think differently. Moss is able to change and deal with many different situations. We should be able to too. And it can help us to fight climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change..
No! Moss is an amazing plant. But it is very different to us. We cannot learn to live without water like moss.
Keywords
Air pollution - The presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems.
Author - Writer.
Resilient - Tough or able to cope with difficulty.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
The humble spongy superhero beneath your feet
Majestic moss: There are 22,000 different types of moss — many with remarkable qualities. Glossary
Air pollution - The presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems.
Author - Writer.
Resilient - Tough or able to cope with difficulty.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.