In an industry first, luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises has grown the world’s first self-contained, free-standing eco-friendly living wall at sea, aboard the 922-guest Crystal Symphony.
The living green wall uses a diverse selection of plants to create a map of the world, for all the places on our bucket lists we’ve checked off or still intending to visit.
A living wall is a vertical garden that is pre-planted in panels and then attached to the wall or facade of a building. Plants stay intact in their vertical positions because their root structures are anchored in two to four inches of soil kept within the panel.
It acts as a bio filter, enhancing air quality by breaking down harmful airborne contaminants and transforming them into clean oxygen. By absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, it reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
In addition to being an eye-catching treat for passengers, this living wall is another another example of Crystal’s “Crystal Clean” environmental and educational efforts both on board and on shore.
The ocean-going living wall is 37.7 feet (11.5 meters) long and 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) high and is being cared for by the ship’s onboard team of florists.
See another example of a living green structure near Cancun, where a “living wall” Pyramid is growing to honor the Mayan calendar that ends December 2012, and also hide a mountain of recycled plastic bottles. Click here to read my article on FoxNews.com/travel about my recent visit to the living green pyramid.
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