the equatorial greenhouse of the Jardin des Plantes de Lille closes

At a time of energy sobriety, is it possible to continue heating a tropical greenhouse? Under the glass and concrete walls of the equatorial greenhouse of the Jardin des Plantes in Lille (Nord), 200 species of exotic plants evolve under a temperature that never drops below 15 degrees. Built in 1970, the greenhouse is today singled out. The building alone accounts for 1.14% of the city’s energy consumption. So the municipality decided to close it.

“This is one of the most energy-intensive buildings in our city. It houses plants and the other buildings house men and women who work or come for leisure (…). We know that this building is energy-intensive, including because it is in poor condition, but not only”Explain Anaïs Linkenheld, first assistant (PS) at the city of Lille, in charge of Ecological Transition and Sustainable Development. This choice was denounced by the association of Friends of the Jardin des Plantes, which is mobilizing to maintain the greenhouse. Launched a few days ago, an online petition has already collected 2,000 signatures. The main request of the association: an alternative project for this cultural place. If the restoration of the building is planned, the equatorial greenhouse could well and truly disappear.