How to fight climate change from the backyard
A backyard or local park is home to ballgames and barbecues for family and friends, but it is so much more. The trees, grass, plants and flowers in yards, parks and ball fields play an important role in fighting climate change.
The planet is growing warmer because there is too much carbon in the atmosphere, which acts as a blanket that traps greenhouse gases. Excess carbon is added to the atmosphere in all sorts of ways, but the easiest way to “sequester” the carbon (storing it in the ground) is through photosynthesis of trees, grasses and plants. So, the more plants, trees and grass homes have around them, the more carbon is removed from the air, and the more oxygen is produced.
Also, a properly landscaped yard, including trees for windbreaks and shade, can save energy by warming a home or office building in the winter and keeping it cooler in the summer.
“Many people don’t realize the positive impact they can have by adding plants and trees to their landscape and maintaining a healthy lawn,” said Britt Wood, CEO of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. “Landscape and lawn-care professionals help home and business owners create climatefriendly landscapes that clean the air and help save energy.”
Follow these tips to boost your yard’s ability to fight climate change.
• Add more trees and shrubs: When folks plant more trees, plants and shrubs in their yards, they are not only sequestering carbon but also producing oxygen and cleaning and filtering the air they breathe.
• Ensure that the lawn is healthy: Turfgrass is excellent at capturing carbon and turning it into organic matter that improves soil quality. Keep lawns healthy to capture more carbon and filter stormwater. Those who are not sure how to improve soil conditions or build stronger turfgrass should consult a lawn-care expert who can help determine a care plan for one’s particular grass variety and soil quality.
• Plant trees in the right spots: By planting trees and shrubs that help block the prevailing winds, homeowners can reduce the impact of the wind on their houses, keeping them warmer in winter. And by planting shade trees in the right places, they can cool their homes in the summer.
• Make the right plant choices: By choosing plants adapted to one’s particular climate zone and planting them in their ideal growing conditions — full sun, shade or partial shade — the plants will thrive and use less water. If homeowners are not sure which plants are best for their yards, they can consult a landscape professional.