Just like the pimple on your nose, climate change just defies solution. We all talk about it globally but we all avoid actually solving it. Case in point: This past winter was 5.1 degrees higher across the planet than the average over the past 50 years. Over the last twelve months, the earth was 1.58 degrees warmer. And during that same time period, the US Congress voted to reject the emission standards that are the main cause of global warming. The dis-connect is alarmingly clear–even if the air isn’t. Like the hands on a clock, we don’t actually see them move but time marches on. The really sad part about this is that solutions tend to focus on electric vehicles, utility fuel scrubbers, wind farms and other mega projects. We have suggested in the past that simple every day “adjustments” in daily activities could be the meaningful start of changing the climate picture. Recently it was suggested that lawn service companies be required to use electric tools (lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers) to do their work. This is a start. We suggest that utility companies offer discounts for any homeowner who will switch from a gas powered mower to an electric model. Your blog editor has an electric riding mower for the last 4 years and it has proven very reliable, easy and cheap to operate, quiet and no emissions. The benefits: lower fossil fuel emissions; lower maintenance costs for the mower; greater electricity income over the long run for the utility. Keep in mind an alarming stat: one hour of gas powered mower use is equivalent to driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck 500 miles. Imagine what we add to the climate problem just by mowing the lawn. AND THE KEY: THIS IS NO-BRAINER PAY BACK “WIN-WIN” FOR ALL. SO WHY DON’T WE DO IT?
Comments are closed