Global Cooling – How Your Green Space Helps the Environment
Did you know that your landscape is great for the environment? We all love the way a lush, green landscape looks, but every day, your lawn and landscape plantings are doing a ton of good as well.
Carbon Sequestration
Where we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants do essentially the opposite. Thanks to photosynthesis, your lawn and landscape generate oxygen while removing carbon dioxide from the environment. A mature tree can sequester up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide every year, and even the lowly turfgrass will sequester a half ton per acre per year.
Healthy, vibrant turf produces oxygen at a remarkable pace. Even a small lawn can generate enough oxygen for a family of 4.
Natural Air Conditioning
Even though most of us rely on mechanical air conditioning to stay comfortable, your landscape is an effective natural air conditioner. Anyone who has walked barefoot in the summer knows that your lawn is a lot more comfortable underfoot than pavement, and shaded areas can be up to 15 degrees cooler than an area in direct sunlight. Additionally, evapotranspiration effectively lowers ambient air temperatures as your trees and shrubs evaporate moisture into the atmosphere.
How Much Does Your Landscape Contribute to the Environment?
If you are interested in learning more about how your lawn and landscape sequesters carbon, check out Project EverGreen’s Clean Air Calculator. You can map out the turf and tree coverage on your property and get your own Clean Air Score!
It’s easy to think of your landscape in terms of aesthetic appeal, but all that plant life is doing a ton of work every day. Your turf, trees, and shrubs are generating oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide while keeping our neighborhoods and homes cool. We should all appreciate the benefits of a healthy lawn and landscape!
Want to Make an Even Bigger Impact with Your Landscape?
Let us help you design and maintain a green space that’s beautiful and environmentally beneficial.