Holland takes steps to preserve the planet and improve air quality by covering hundreds of bus stops with plants to attract bees!
Utrecht, a city in the Netherlands, has covered the roofs of 316 bus stops in sedum plants. Not only does this look beautiful, but it helps to support the city’s biodiversity by attracting honeybees and bumble bees. These plants also store rainwater and capture dust, which counts as one of many measures that Utrecht has put in place in a mission to improve air quality. This forward-thinking city in Holland plans to introduce 55 new electric buses by the end of this year and have “completely clean public transport” by 2028, a scheme that is already being implemented. Utrecht also runs a scheme which allows residents to apply for funding to transform their own roofs into green roofs.
This wonderful idea also helps to employ people, too! The roofs are cared for by workers who drive to and from each place in electric vehicles, and the bus stops have all been fitted with energy-efficient LED lights and bamboo benches to make the entire operation eco-friendly. To top all of that off, the electricity used to power the buses will be sourced from Dutch windmills.
This story reinforces how accessible an environmentally-friendly lifestyle can be for all and challenges us to find more ways that we can go green. People are now being encouraged to refuse plastic straws when they are not needed, as well as carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup (like these from mybyta.com) to eliminate as many single-use plastics as possible.
