Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute's Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action

"A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other cellular diseases."

"Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind - a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink."

"You don't need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers."

Residential lawns consume 30-60% of household water in the United States while contributing to environmental damage through chemical use. The Ocean River Institute, led by Rob Moir, Ph.D., promotes natural lawn practices to restore ecosystems and combat climate change. Natural lawns eliminate toxic chemicals linked to cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, while supporting local pollinators and storing substantially more carbon than fertilized lawns. The institute recruits communities for the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge, encouraging alternatives to chemical-intensive practices like Roundup and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers that harm soil fungi and beneficial insects. Healthy natural lawns function as powerful carbon sinks, making them valuable climate mitigation tools.

Read at Earth911