Start preserving moss, and stop ripping it out.
Moss, often overlooked as mere ground cover (or even worse, attacked as a pest), plays a surprisingly powerful role in climate mitigation and urban cooling.
Research shows that moss can absorb up to four times more carbon dioxide than trees, making it a compact yet highly efficient carbon sink.
Unlike traditional plants, moss does not require soil to grow, allowing it to thrive on surfaces like rooftops, walls, and pavements—making it ideal for dense urban environments.
Beyond carbon capture, moss also cools its surroundings by retaining moisture and reducing surface temperatures, effectively acting as a natural air conditioner in cities. Despite its benefits, moss is frequently removed or ignored in landscaping and urban planning. As cities face increasing heat and climate challenges, preserving and integrating moss into green infrastructure could be a low-maintenance, high-impact solution.