Can Moss Save Us?

“Our air is too dirty. Fine dust and other pollutants are causing the deaths of thousands of people in Germany. Therefore, it is clear: we need better air.”

According to Deutschlandfunk, the question arises: “Clean the air or prevent pollution in the first place?”

It is evident that “air pollution is extremely unhealthy”. Analyses by the European Environment Agency (EEA) indicate that “in Germany alone, 68,000 people died prematurely in 2021 due to fine dust, with additional deaths caused by nitrogen dioxide”.

Various solutions are being discussed in the debate: “This includes questions about speed limits, industrial filters, and of course, gasoline and especially diesel engines”.

However, there are other innovative solutions: Can moss perhaps save us?

Niklas Potthoff attempted to answer this and other questions in the segment “Unboxing News” on Deutschlandfunk Nova. He welcomed guests Ann-Kathrin Büüsker, Deutschlandradio correspondent at the Berlin capital studio, and our CEO and founder Peter Sänger, who explained in detail how moss can filter and cool the hot, polluted city air.

You can find the (German) episode on all major platforms such as Deutschlandfunk, Spotify , or the ARD Audiothek. Tune in!

Deutschlandfunk Nova is “the young information offering of Deutschlandradio. Stories that move, guests who have something to say, and news that explains your world”.
In Unboxing News, “Deutschlandfunk Nova unpacks a news story every day”. They look for “personal perspectives behind the news and provide context”.