National Plant Health Week (10th May) sets out to discover why plant health matters, the threats plants face, and plant health science
BBSRC is partnering with Defra for National Plant Health Week (10th May ) to highlight how healthy plants benefit both the planet and people.
Plants have many benefits, including boosting a person’s wellbeing.
Other benefits include:
- Producing food – 80% of food consumed comes from plants
- Providing oxygen – plants produce 98% of oxygen breathed
- Helping fight climate change – trees are vital carbon sinks with a mature tree absorbing up to 150kg of CO2 per year (about the same as CO2 as electric tumble dryer used around two to three times per week generates per year)
- Reducing pollution – they help remove pollution from the air
- Providing homes for wildlife – for example, oak trees in the UK can have over 2,300 different animals, plants and fungi living on and in them
- Supporting the economy – in the UK, the value that our plants and trees provide to society each year is estimated at £9 billion
- Supporting wellbeing – studies have shown that engaging with nature has a positive effect on a person’s wellbeing.
From learning how to look after plants properly, to purchasing plants responsibly and exploring plant research, there are plenty of ways to get involved with National Plant Health Week.
