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I've yet to see analysis that supports lawn mowers are a significant environmental problem.
What would you consider significant? They foul the air with visible smoke, noise, and bad smells. They are the #1 cause of environmental pollution in the immediate area while they are in use. Isn't that enough?
When you look at the total environmental burden caused by green grass lawns... water usage, chemical runoff... it's a wonder they have such a hold on the collective psyche. In many communities they are mandated by HOAs and in some cases even by municipal requirements. Yet the days when green lawns supported flocks of grazing sheep, or were maintained for the upper class by serfs or slaves are long gone.
Xeriscaping... landscaping with drought tolerant native plants... and food gardening are valid and environmentally friendly ways to use personal real estate, even in urban environments. Grass lawns are not.
Seriously, America's addiction to neatly trimmed green lawns around private homes as a societal norm is a significant environmental burden.
I'm persuaded that overfertilized lawns cause some problems in some areas. Local smoke for an hour once a week during the summer does prove global environmental damage. I'm just asking for an analysis that shows this is something that we should deal with.
I'm persuaded that overfertilized lawns cause some problems in some areas. Local smoke for an hour once a week during the summer does prove global environmental damage. I'm just asking for an analysis that shows this is something that we should deal with.
I am reasonable certain there are some available via the Internet. It would be good if you could find one you thought was worthwhile and then bring it here for discussion. Not everyone will agree that something should be done so "we" is relative to individual perspectives. Nevertheless, see what you can come up with, it might be interesting.
"Based on current calculations, EPA estimates that the amount of pollution emitted by a lawnmower operating for one hour is equivalent to the amount of pollution emitted by a car driven for approximately 45 miles"
So if I toss my electric battery powered lawnmower, and buy a gas powered lawnmower (which I tend to think won't happen). I will be polluting less than if driving about going to the mall, have a nicer yard, and will burn energy to help lose weight.
Is the EPA trying to sell us on gas powered mowers?
So if I toss my electric battery powered lawnmower, and buy a gas powered lawnmower (which I tend to think won't happen). I will be polluting less than if driving about going to the mall, have a nicer yard, and will burn energy to help lose weight.
Is the EPA trying to sell us on gas powered mowers?
Who knows what the EPA is trying to do. As with any government organization, it's primary function is to make sure it remains relevant and gets more funding, then impose regulations on some, give waivers to others and then cast blame on the rest.
Lawns and everything involving them is a big part of their business, the profit margins are very high for materials and all the other plants and such that center on the lawn.
If as someone said, abolish lawns, there would be a very significant adverse effect on the economy.
Lawns and everything involving them is a big part of their business, the profit margins are very high for materials and all the other plants and such that center on the lawn.
If as someone said, abolish lawns, there would be a very significant adverse effect on the economy.
I couldn't rep you again, but I about fell off my chair when I read that...
Heck, I wish I didn't have to keep a yard. But in the tropics, everything grows fast and all year 'round. Always cutting, pulling, or trimming something.
I visit Arizona every once in a while, and every once in a while I see a yard with grass on it, and I think to myself, WHY???? I'd be happy doing next to no yard work and not looking like I don't care.
Given how many people mow the lawn in the summer... and the fact that lawns themselves aren't even the most environmentally friendly thing around, I'm surprised here in 2014 that we still don't have any sort of mandated requirement to use a catalytic converter. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on the subject would chime in on the issue.
I'm a social libertarian of sorts who supports gun rights, owns multiple guns, supports marijuana legalization, etc. but also support common sense legislation to combat pollution, and I'd have no problem spending an extra 50-100 bucks to use a mower augmented with a converter... plus as a person who owns physical palladium and sees it as an attractive investment, I'd probably get my money back and then some... the amount of palladium used in each one is trivial, but adds up to a lot of ounces in a tight market.
In any case, I'd like to hear your opinions on the matter. Also if you have any opinions on 2 stroke boating engines which I also have issue with when it comes to lake pollution, and boating in general, feel free to chime in.
Emission reduction technologies do exist for all engines, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, ATVs, motor cycles, etc., etc., but do to a LACK of emission regulations these technologies remain IDLE, disappointing isn't it?
The emission regulators for both Canada, and the United States of America, are allowing small engine manufacturers to continuously pollute our environment, mainly the air we all have to breath.
Unlike emission regulations for cars and trucks that regulates and measures all three pollutants separately, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen,
small engines manufacturers are allowed to measure two pollutants for ONE emission value, hydrocarbons PLUS oxides of nitrogen, thus allowing an increase in either emission.
Small engines are major contributors to the formation of SMOG, and this is do to their emitted values of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Oxides of nitrogen created by small engines can move or blow from town to town, state to state and country to country, mixing with hydrocarbons created by other sources and still form SMOG, therefore, we need stringent emission regulations for ALL engines and not just the automotive sector.
Environment Canada, reveals that SMOG is responsible for 16,000 premature deaths each year in Canada, thousands of unnecessary hospital visits, not to mention it's associated cost to Health Canada.
FYI, the leaner an engine operates the less carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons will be emitted, however, there is a trade off while burning lean, the emitted oxides of nitrogen values increases significantly thus allowing a SMOG forming pollutant.
We need small engine emission regulations that specifies all three pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX), be tested and measured individually such are those of cars and trucks.
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The green green grass of home
