EarthTalk: Artificial turf has been popular
on sports fields for decades for a variety of reasons, but
is it also a good environmentally friendly option for residential
-- Sharon Chinchilla, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
use of artificial turf for residential lawns is a growing
trend across America, notably in regions where water supplies
have a tough time keeping up with demand. Advocates of artificial
turf point out, for example, that a whopping 56,000 gallons
of water are applied each year to the average residential
also show that the mowing, watering and fertilizing of natural
grass contribute as much as two percent to U.S. overall
fossil fuel consumption. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, lawn care activities also account for
about 10 percent of hazardous air pollution coast-to-coast.
And studies on Long Island in New York State have shown
that up to 60 percent of the synthetic nitrogen applied
to lawns there ends up contaminating local ground water
given the choice between real or artificial turf, most environmental
advocates still prefer real grass. Besides helping to create
the oxygen we breathe through photosynthesis, plants (including
grass) are an integral part of any living ecosystem. They
filter water and sunlight down into the soil where worms,
insects and moisture work in concert to hold the soil firm.
And they prevent flooding while providing habitat and nourishment
for birds, bees and other wildlife.
contrast, synthetic turf is made out of petroleum-derived
plastic. In cases where fake turf is installed improperly,
chemicals from the plastic can seep into the ground below
and potentially contaminate groundwater. Some formulations
of synthetic turf require infill such as silicon sand or
granulated rubber, either of which may contain potentially
toxic heavy metals that can leach into the water table below.
The granules have also been known to produce a distinctly
unpleasant odor at times. And consumers trying to reduce
their carbon footprints should keep in mind that manufacturing
and shipping artificial turf, like any synthetic product,
generates large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
because of concerns about water usage, some municipalities
are trying to encourage homeowners to switch to synthetic
turf. Back in 2002 city managers in drought-ridden Las Vegas
began offering homeowners rebates of $1 per square foot
to replace their thirsty natural grass lawns with synthetic
turf. And in July 2007 board members of southern California’s
Metropolitan Water District, which serves 18 million people
across six counties, initiated a similar program to try
to make a dent in outdoor water use in the region, 50 to
70 percent of which is devoted to the watering of residential
course, installing artificial turf isn’t the only
way to minimize the environmental impact of one’s
yard. Converting grass lawns over to less resource intensive
landscaping—known as “xeriscaping”—is
also catching on. Drought-tolerant native shrubs, plants
and ornamental grasses don’t require large amounts
of water, fertilizer or pesticides to survive. Many groundcover
plants naturally hold back weeds and contribute to the health
of the soil. Even rock gardens are attractive and essentially
maintenance-free. Given all the natural alternatives, homeowners
need not convert their back yards over to fake turf.
Water District of Southern California’s BeWaterWise.
EarthTalk: I am considering buying Honda’s
natural gas Civic. What exactly comes out of a natural gas
vehicle’s tailpipe, and how harmful to the environment
is natural gas extraction and refinement? Which is greener,
a hybrid or natural gas car?
-- Alex Neal, San Diego CA
natural gas Civic GX, which debuted in 2006 in California
but is now becoming available in other parts of the country,
just may be the cleanest mainstream car on the road. At
least the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
(ACEEE) thinks so. The nonprofit group publishes an annual
Green Book listing the greenest (and meanest) cars of the
year, and put the Civic GX at the top of its 2007 environmentally
friendly car list, edging out Toyota’s hybrid Prius.
car is a slouch when it comes to fuel economy and reduced
emissions, the natural gas-fueled Civic scored slightly
better than the Prius on both counts in ACEEE’s battery
of tests. It also scored better in terms of the pollution
generated in the manufacturing processes.
Natural gas is
the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. According to the
U.S. Department of Energy, the burning of natural gas emits
117,000 pounds per billion (ppb) BTUs of carbon dioxide
as compared to gasoline’s 164,000. Its 92 ppb of nitrogen
oxide emissions are considerably lower than gasoline’s
448, and its mere one ppb of sulfur dioxide emissions is
dwarfed by gasoline’s 1,122. Natural gas also emits
just seven ppb of particulates compared to 84 for gasoline,
and it emits no mercury whatsoever against the trace amounts
emitted by gasoline-burning engines. Natural gas combustion
does generate slightly more carbon monoxide than gasoline,
at 40 ppb versus 33, but the difference is negligible.
The big trade-off
for Civic GX owners is the car’s limited 220-mile
range between fuelings. The gasoline-powered Civic can go
350 miles on a tank; the Prius, even with just an 11-gallon
tank, can go considerably further operating at as much as
55 miles per gallon in highway driving. While a few dozen
natural gas refueling stations have popped up around the
U.S., they are few and far between. For those who need to
make longer trips but still value a greener ride, a hybrid
may be the best bet, as it will produce only marginally
worse emissions while taking advantage of the ubiquity of
gas stations out on the road.
Those who already
use natural gas for home heating can pay $5,000 for a car
fueling system installed in their garage or driveway. While
that cost may seem high, owners can save about $1 per gallon
over gasoline and can also get a federal $1,000 tax rebate.
(Also, like the Prius, the purchase of the Civic GX itself
qualifies for a federal tax break of $2,000 as well as up
to another $2,000 in state and local incentives where applicable.)
Some Honda dealers lease home systems for between $34 and
$79 monthly. Honda pegs the fuel cost at 3.75 cents/mile,
compared to 8.8 cents/mile for the gasoline-powered Civic.
extraction and distribution of natural gas, the fuel is
often sourced along with or near oil reserves, and involves
similarly invasive drilling methods. Accidents do happen
from time to time and, though natural gas does not spill
like oil and cause ground and sea-level ecosystem disturbances,
it rises into the atmosphere where it contributes directly
to global warming.
for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency;
Green Book; Honda