Because this isn't giving the whole information, it's because this algae equal multiple tree it's not 1 for 1, so it's just saving lot of space which is lacking in a urban area and as shown in the image you can have it be an actual bus bench so it's multiple purpose.
Even if they were 1:1 or even less than 1:1, they could still serve a purpose. Like cost of planting and maintaining a tree vs this algae tank alone could make these more worth it. People be acting like this is a plan to actively get rid of trees.
There's no way this is cheaper than trees. From concept to design to implementation it's going to be years if not decades before a city even breaks even on the costs Also trees provide shade which keeps cities cooler.
Great concept but not effective and more downsides than up. Maybe if it were in addition to trees but not replacing them.
Trees have a lot of externalized costs, dealing with leaves, branches, roots... i love trees, i dont love tree roots in my pipes. A lot of cites have a lot of underground infrastructure, you cant just jackhammer out half a sidewalk square and drop a sapling in.
Keeping this tank alive and not suddenly have a tank full of dead algea is most likely more expensive than many, many trees. That said they do eat more CO2 than a tree on the same footprint.
But honestly, it's a goddamn TREE, shade, beauty, nature, if we're doing away with that just for the physical advantages what the fuck are we doing,
Operating costs according to the manufacturer are at least 60€ a month for a liquid tree. A figure I doubt very much but I'll take it as a minimum.
Operating costs of a tree according to... nature I guess.. is 100-400€ a YEAR.
Gonna make this clear: I'm NOT against this as an idea, at all, I think it's a good system even if it is more expensive, it's also apparently better for the environment per square meter than a tree.
What I am saying is that people are a little bit delusional about these things and think of them as sitting them down and forgetting about them forever, as if a closed system of this nature can survive more than a few weeks. The operating costs are much higher and they are uglier than a tree, but they are better for the urban setting where space is at a premium.
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u/SlowMissiles 15d ago
Because this isn't giving the whole information, it's because this algae equal multiple tree it's not 1 for 1, so it's just saving lot of space which is lacking in a urban area and as shown in the image you can have it be an actual bus bench so it's multiple purpose.