They were suggesting that these electric-powered tools do not put off carbon emissions, which may or may not be true. If the electricity fuel source is nuclear power, that may be true, but if the electric power's fuel source is by burning coal, which is true for most of the USA's electricity, wouldn't using plug-in lawnmowers in reality, produce more carbon than the gasoline burning lawnmower and weedwhackers? Wouldn't "green" be more along the lines of not growing grass? Ironic, I know, but considering that 40% of our clean water is used to make lawns green, growing grass lawns, which need labor, water, and mowing, seems to be anything but "green."So this morning, I was watching a gardening show, and they were suggesting ways to go green. Most sounded intelligent, but one caught my mind. The suggestion was to use electric (plug-in) yard equipment, -ie- lawnmower and weedeater. They were suggesting that these electric-powered tools do not put off carbon emissions, which may or may not be true. If the electricity fuel source is nuclear power, that may be true, but if the electric power's fuel source is by burning coal, which is true for most of the USA's electricity, wouldn't using plug-in lawnmowers in reality, produce more carbon than the gasoline burning lawnmower and weedwhackers? Wouldn't "green" be more along the lines of not growing grass? Ironic, I know, but considering that 40% of our clean water is used to make lawns green, growing grass lawns, which need labor, water, and mowing, seems to be anything but "green."
They were suggesting that these electric-powered tools do not put off carbon emissions, which may or may not be true. If the electricity fuel source is nuclear power, that may be true, but if the electric power's fuel source is by burning coal, which is true for most of the USA's electricity, wouldn't using plug-in lawnmowers in reality, produce more carbon than the gasoline burning lawnmower and weedwhackers? Wouldn't "green" be more along the lines of not growing grass? Ironic, I know, but considering that 40% of our clean water is used to make lawns green, growing grass lawns, which need labor, water, and mowing, seems to be anything but "green."Replies
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Beach Lover
Obviously it would depend on whether the amount of coal burned to produce the electricity required to operate the equipment emits as much carbon as the gas-operated equipment would. I doubt it does but I'm not sure why I think that... maybe because you have to start the gas equipment
And you're right, it's probably "greener" not to manage your lawn. But it's trendy to be green to a certain extent, so everyone is cashing in on telling you how you can be green in your daily life by changing minor details. I'm sick of hearing about it... and the phrase "go green"... couldn't they come up with something more original?
And you're right, it's probably "greener" not to manage your lawn. But it's trendy to be green to a certain extent, so everyone is cashing in on telling you how you can be green in your daily life by changing minor details. I'm sick of hearing about it... and the phrase "go green"... couldn't they come up with something more original?
Edited
SoWal ExpertAuthor
gas equipment doesn't require much fuel to get started. They either use human power, or in some cases, a battery.
In my comparison, I have to compare apples to apples, ie- the same hp engine, which requires the same amount of power, regardless of it's power source. That may not be completely accurate as real life likely gives us wimpy hp engines for those electric devices, compared to their gas burning brothers. You also might be less likely to keep the electric weedwacker running as you walk around the around, where you would keep the gas-powered running, so that you don't have to burn your own human-energy to restart it often.
In my comparison, I have to compare apples to apples, ie- the same hp engine, which requires the same amount of power, regardless of it's power source. That may not be completely accurate as real life likely gives us wimpy hp engines for those electric devices, compared to their gas burning brothers. You also might be less likely to keep the electric weedwacker running as you walk around the around, where you would keep the gas-powered running, so that you don't have to burn your own human-energy to restart it often.
SoWal Insider
My front yard is mostly dirt and while I grew up mowing and weeding a beautiful lawn, and I long to have grass, my thinking is changing toward having a low maintenance yard.
Anyone know where to get a 1/4 acre of artificial
turf. I think we are going to put down a couple of "holes"
Anyone know where to get a 1/4 acre of artificial
turf. I think we are going to put down a couple of "holes"
Beach Fanatic
I sweep my yard. If you take care of a weed or shrub quickly they never get out of hand.
SoWal Expert
Electric powered gardening/lawn tools are greener than gas powered, but that's like saying a Suburban is greener than a Hummer IMO.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
How are they greener, since they basically burn coal to power them?
Beach Lover
gas equipment doesn't require much fuel to get started. They either use human power, or in some cases, a battery.
I was referring to the initial puff of smoke that I have seen equipment make when it first starts. But I might be wrong about that.
In my comparison, I have to compare apples to apples, ie- the same hp engine, which requires the same amount of power, regardless of it's power source. That may not be completely accurate as real life likely gives us wimpy hp engines for those electric devices, compared to their gas burning brothers. You also might be less likely to keep the electric weedwacker running as you walk around the around, where you would keep the gas-powered running, so that you don't have to burn your own human-energy to restart it often.
I understand that they would use the same amount of power for your comparison. My point is to ask, does burning the coal to make that much energy emit as much CO2 as burning the gas does? It may not. But I honestly don't know.
beats on hood
There was a guy on The Today Show who was giving suggestions for easy ways to go green. One was to take off your shoes before you enter your residence.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
There was a guy on The Today Show who was giving suggestions for easy ways to go green. One was to take off your shoes before you enter your residence.
maybe less dirt to vacuum, or less mud to mop with chemicals.
Beach Fanatic
I read somewhere that lawn mower engines - especially the riding variety - give off more pollutants than automobiles because there is no smog/catalytic converter kind of stuff.
The US gets half of its electricity from coal and it is difficult to see how that is clean. I am all for an electric mower however, if you have an acre or two of Bermuda grass, you would spend the rest of your life cutting your lawn. When I move to SoWal, I am sure my lawn area will be small so I will get one of those push reel mowers.
The US gets half of its electricity from coal and it is difficult to see how that is clean. I am all for an electric mower however, if you have an acre or two of Bermuda grass, you would spend the rest of your life cutting your lawn. When I move to SoWal, I am sure my lawn area will be small so I will get one of those push reel mowers.
Beach Fanatic
From Treehugger.com:
These "shoe off" and "door mat" practices came about to reduce the amount of dirt that gets tracked into your home. Shoes clearly can be a source of substantial dirt, as is evident from the footprints left when you walk in shoes on a clean, wet floor. Not only can shoes bring dirt into your home, but they can also bring pesticides, lead, and other chemicals that can be present in dirt. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, showed that people bring lawn pesticides into their homes on their shoes. These pesticide-laden shoes were a major source of pesticide exposures, especially for young children who spend a lot of time on the floor and who put dirty fingers, dust, and toys in their mouths. Somewhat surprising was that the study showed that indoor shoe-wearing was a larger source of children?s pesticide exposures than eating non-organic fruits and vegetables. Taking your shoes off and wiping your feet on a door mat or other carpeting before entering were found to be important pollutant reduction measures.
Even if you do not use pesticides on your lawn or have lead in your soil, you can still have pesticides, lead and other chemicals on your shoes from your travels to other lawns and other places. These pesticides and chemicals can stay on your shoes for quite some time. So, it clearly makes sense to listen to your sister (at least in this one case) and take your shoes off before you enter your home. For added insurance, you can put a door mat just inside your door to store the shoes or to have people wipe their feet before coming inside. Your home will not only be cleaner, but may also look better, especially if you chose a nice looking door mat, such as this one.
SoWal Insider
My door mat says "Leave" so I have no problem with people coming in my house much less bringing pesticides in. 
SoWal Expert
Your home will be cleaner if people wipe or take off their dirty shoes upon entering and your kids may ingest bad things if they eat off the floor.
Is this from the same folks who fund the studies that determine men like beer and become less intelligent when they see bikinis?
Is this from the same folks who fund the studies that determine men like beer and become less intelligent when they see bikinis?
Beach Comber
My front yard is mostly dirt and while I grew up mowing and weeding a beautiful lawn, and I long to have grass, my thinking is changing toward having a low maintenance yard.
Anyone know where to get a 1/4 acre of artificial
turf. I think we are going to put down a couple of "holes"
I would think you could get some turf cheaply from the Atlanta Falcons. They have several 100 yard strips that they don't seem to know what to do with.
Beach Comber
Sorry if I offended anyone (north of the Mason Dixon) line by ending my first post with a preposition.
Beach Fanatic
Sorry if I offended anyone (north of the Mason Dixon) line by ending my first post with a preposition.
maark! No offense taken - now post some more.Checking your forum account
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