In this video - How Plants Are Fighting Climate Change and Pollution? - I look at how plants are being used to help fight climate change and polution.
Genetically engineered plants are being explored to combat climate change and environmental pollution.
Slowing Climate Change with Carbon-Capturing Plants
One area of research focuses on using plants to slow climate change by enhancing their ability to capture and store carbon. Plants have been engineered to produce suberin, a cork-like substance that resists degradation and effectively traps carbon. These plants are also being developed to grow deeper root systems, ensuring that the suberin (and the carbon it contains) is buried deep within the soil, where it can remain sequestered for long periods.
This carbon sequestration will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and slow global warming.
Building Resilient Crops for a Changing Climate
As climate change continues to impact agricultural productivity, crops must be developed that can withstand extreme conditions such as heat, drought, disease, and high salinity. Researchers are working to make plants more resilient, ensuring that food supplies remain stable even as the environment becomes increasingly unpredictable.
By enhancing plants' natural defences, it is hoped that crops can be produced that can thrive in adverse conditions, reducing the risk of crop failures and food shortages.
Plants as Pollution Fighters
Plants are also being engineered to tackle pollution.
A particularly interesting approach involves cloning the rabbit gene P4502E1 into Devil's Ivy, a popular houseplant. This gene encodes an enzyme that breaks down harmful chemicals, including potential carcinogens, into less toxic compounds. By introducing this gene into plants, researchers are creating a natural air purification system that can absorb and detoxify pollutants in urban environments and indoor spaces.
Additional Resources
- 📗 - The Biosciences Glossary - Google Play Book Store
- 📗 - Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Molecular Cell Biology (Lodish) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Biochemistry (Stryer) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Principles of Biochemistry (Lehninger) - (affiliate link)
