Deadly Lawns

Answer to the previous Kitty Quiz: False

Current Kitty Quiz: What breed is known as “the swimming cat”? In fact, their name comes from a lake where they are often seen taking a dip!

Please check the next post for the answer to the current Kitty Quiz!

We’ve been told for years that our SUV’s are destroying the planet. Now, a report in the journal Geophysical Research Letters says our lawns are contributing to global warming!

Previous studies had shown that lawns act as carbon sinks by carrying out photosynthesis. The new study agrees with that assessment, but it says that maintenance such as mowing, fertilizing, leaf blowing, etc., produces more carbon emissions than the lawns absorb. The study suggests that the maintenance procedures can produce up to four times more emissions than the lawns can remove from the atmosphere.

Annie: The solution to this problem is simple; everyone should just quit fertilizing and use old-fashioned manual push mowers to cut their lawns!

Charlie: That would certainly place lawns back in the “good for the environment” category, but I can’t picture a lot of people going back to the old reel-type non-motorized push mowers.

Annie: There would even be other benefits. Pushing one of those around the yard once a week would be REALLY good exercise for papa!

Charlie: He doesn’t really like mowing the lawn anyway and having to do it that way would make it a REALLY tedious task for him.

Annie: No pain, no GAIN!

Charlie: Maybe the best solution is just to quit mowing and let the lawn go natural!

Annie: Imagine all the field mice and other rodents that would take up residence; WE would literally have a FIELD day, every day!

Charlie: I don’t think the neighbors or local officials would appreciate it, though.

Annie: Oh, they can go scratch! We’re doing our part to save the planet!

Have a great day!