Bronte Wells
Air, water and land pollution are major issues that have a huge impact on the environment and our health. The good news is that there are many things we can do to prevent this. From using energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully to making everyday choices that can help protect the environment, we can all play a part in reducing harmful emissions and creating a clean and sustainable future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully | Reduce harmful emissions to our air, land and water |
| Walk or ride to work or the shops instead of driving | Reduce motor vehicle emissions, the most significant source of most common air pollutants |
| Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of a lawnmower | An hour of running a lawnmower can produce nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip |
| Use less energy | Reduce energy consumption |
| Choose efficient appliances and heating systems | Reduce energy consumption |
| Get an energy audit and follow the advice | Reduce energy consumption |
| Turn off electrical items that are not in use | Reduce energy consumption |
| Mulch or compost grass or yard waste, or leave it in your yard if you can't compost | Prevent chemicals from washing into storm drains and waterways |
What You'll Learn
Using energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully
Lawn care can also be a source of pollution, with an hour of running a lawnmower producing nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip. Using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead can help to reduce this.
Composting grass or yard waste, or leaving it in your yard if you can't compost, can also help to prevent water pollution, as it stops chemicals from washing into storm drains and waterways.
Local businesses, city offices and school districts can be directed towards programs that can help them reduce air pollution and become more sustainable. City and county officials can also help by passing local ordinances, creating incentives for beneficial behaviours, and promoting and educating residents on best practices.
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Using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment
There are a few different types of hand-powered lawn care equipment that you can use. One option is a push lawn mower, which is powered by you pushing it along the grass. This type of mower is quiet, lightweight, and easy to manoeuvre. Another option is a reel mower, which uses a set of blades that rotate as you push it to cut the grass. Reel mowers are typically more durable than push mowers and can handle taller grass or weeds.
If you prefer to use electric lawn care equipment, there are a few options available. Battery-powered lawn mowers are a popular choice, as they are quiet, lightweight, and easy to use. They are also typically cheaper to operate than gas-powered mowers. Electric lawn edgers and trimmers are also available, which can help you create a neat and tidy lawn without the need for gas or oil.
In addition to using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment, there are a few other things you can do to reduce air, water, and land pollution. One way is to compost grass or yard waste, or leave it in your yard if you can't compost. This will help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and will also provide nutrients for your soil. Another way to reduce pollution is to choose efficient appliances and heating systems, and to turn off electrical items when you're not using them. This will help to reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.
Finally, you can also commute smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of most common air pollutants, so reducing the amount you drive can make a big difference.
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Choosing efficient appliances and heating systems
When it comes to appliances, look for energy-efficient models that use less electricity. For example, you could switch to using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of a lawnmower, as an hour of running a lawnmower can produce nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip.
You can also get an energy audit and follow the advice given. This might include turning off electrical items you are not using, or switching to energy-saving lightbulbs.
Heating systems can also be made more efficient. For example, you could install a smart thermostat to control your heating and hot water, or improve your home's insulation to reduce heat loss.
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Mulching or composting grass or yard waste
One way to prevent air, water and land pollution is to mulch or compost grass or yard waste. Grass clippings and other yard waste can be composted and used as mulch to help prevent water pollution. Mulching grass or yard waste can be done by using a mulching lawnmower, which cuts the grass into fine pieces that can be left on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients to the soil. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, as well as reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, which can pollute water sources.
Another benefit of mulching or composting grass or yard waste is that it can help to improve the health of your lawn. The decomposed grass clippings act as a natural fertiliser, providing nutrients to the soil and helping to retain moisture. This can lead to a healthier, more vibrant lawn that is less susceptible to pests and diseases.
In addition, mulching or composting grass or yard waste can also help to reduce air pollution. When grass clippings are left to decompose naturally, they release fewer emissions than when they are collected and transported to landfills. This is because the decomposition process in landfills often occurs in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment, which can lead to the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By mulching or composting grass clippings, you can help to reduce these emissions and improve air quality.
Finally, mulching or composting grass or yard waste is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce your environmental impact. It requires minimal equipment and can be easily incorporated into your regular lawn care routine. Additionally, by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, you can help to extend the lifespan of these sites, further reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. Overall, mulching or composting grass or yard waste is a sustainable and eco-friendly practice that can help to prevent air, water and land pollution.
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Walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving
Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of common air pollutants. One way to reduce this is to walk or ride to work or the shops instead of driving. This is a simple change that can make a big difference.
If you can't walk or ride, consider carpooling or using public transport. This reduces the number of cars on the road and therefore the amount of pollution.
Another way to reduce air pollution is to use less energy. This can be done by turning off electrical items you're not using and choosing efficient appliances and heating systems. You can also get an energy audit and follow the advice given.
To prevent water pollution, you can mulch or compost grass or yard waste. If you can't compost, leave it in your yard.
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Frequently asked questions
We can prevent air pollution by using energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully. For example, we can commute smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. We can also use less energy by choosing efficient appliances and heating systems and turning off electrical items we are not using.
We can prevent water pollution by mulching or composting grass or yard waste, or leaving it in our yard if we can't compost.
We can prevent land pollution by using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of petrol-powered lawn mowers, which produce a large amount of pollution.
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