Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon (usually in tonnes) being emitted by an activity or organisation. It is also an important component of the Ecological Footprint, due to the demand for biologically productive space. World Carbon Footprint is currently 60 percent of humanity’s overall Ecological Footprint and its most rapidly growing component. Humanity’s carbon Footprint has increased 11-fold since 1961. Northeastern University has come up with an innovative way to try and create a better and healthy world for us to live, by using herb gardens.
The latest initiation by the Northeastern University lets you choose herbs from the newly launched herb gardens at the campus. These were installed recently in the month of June. One does not need to rush to the grocery store to get what they need. They can simply walk to any one of the eight herb gardens located across Northeastern University’s Boston campus, which include gardens outside of Stetson East, International Village, and the Visitor Center. One can simply snip the fresh herbs that one might want to use to cook their favorite meals.
Chuck Doughty is an oversees landscaping for the Facilities Division at the Northeastern University. He is of the belief that the main objective of these herb gardens is to reduce the Carbon Footprint and promote healthy eating. All of the herbs are grown in Massachusetts where organic soil and organic fertilizers are used. These gardens have already been replanted two or three times as a testimony to their widespread appeal.
The gardens contain 10 different culinary herbs each. These include parsley, dill, thyme, and sage, and a pair of shears for passersby to snip the ones they might like. A sign posted next to each garden prompts people to “Snip it. Take it. Enjoy it”.
Shahjadi Jemim Rahman
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