“Turf in urban areas and communities can aid in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect, reducing energy consumption and contributing to efforts to reduce global warming trends.”
Scientific research has documented the many benefits of turf to our environment. Our lawns, parks and open areas:
Pollution Control
Today’s improved turf varieties are very effective in reducing pollution.
- Turf traps and removes dust and dirt from the air.
- An average house lawn can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe.
Natures Air Conditioner
Another benefit that everyone enjoys, usually without notice, is turf’s tremendous cooling effect.
- On a hot summer day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil.
- The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That’s amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity.
- The cooling effect of irrigated turf reduces the amount of fuel that must be burned to provide the electricity which powers the air conditioners.
- Watered when the grass needs it, turf will very efficiently and effectively use almost every drop.
A Natural Filter
Runoff water in urban areas carries many pollutants. Turf acts as a natural filter, reducing pollution by purifying the water passing through its’ root zone.
Soil Erosion
The clean gentle strength of turf is the most cost-effective method for controlling wind and water erosion. A healthy turfed lawn absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than a wheat field and four times better than a hay field. A turfed lawn will absorb greater amounts of rain than a seeded lawn; even after three years of growth.
Source: Turfgrass Producers International
Helping us be healthy
Poor diet and physical inactivity is one of the causes of increasing deaths in Australia. Playing with your children or pets in the backyard for an hour or so each day can help the whole family stay healthy.
As our population increases, so do our homes and, as a result the Aussie backyard becomes smaller. There are lots of fun lawn activities to consider instead of watching TV or playing with your phones. You can even view your lawn care as a valuable form of exercise!