Publication
Engaging young people in the development of innovative nature-inspired technologies for carbon sequestration in cities: Case studies from Portugal
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Currently, cities are the most vulnerable places on the planet to the effects of global
change, both anthropogenic and climate-related, and this is not compatible with harmony and
well-being regarding the economy, nature, and future generations. Young people have a unique
potential to catalyze the transformative sustainable change that the planet needs now, as they are
the first generation to grow up with tangible impacts of climate change. We tested a new strategy to
empower young people to foster carbon neutrality in cities by engaging them in ecosystem services
quantification and technological innovation to increase CO2 sequestration in two Portuguese cities.
The species with best performance for carbon sequestration were M. exelsa in Porto and O. europea
in Loulé, and for air pollutant removal and hydrological regulation were P. hispanica in Porto and
P. pinea in Loulé. Through the innovative advanced summer program SLI, a nature-based learning
experience, young people developed two new concepts of technological solutions to accelerate city
decarbonization by designing a hedge for air pollution hotspots and a biodevice to be placed at bus
stops using autochthonous shrubs and mosses. Initiatives like SLI contribute to a greater awareness
among young people about the drivers that brought us to the current climate emergency, motivating
them towards more balanced lifestyles and creating innovative nature-based solutions towards a
smart and sustainable city
Description
Keywords
Youth and sustainability Climate change Carbon neutrality Urban ecosystem services Sustainable solutions for smart cities
Citation
Smart Cities 7 (1): 445-459 (2024)