Freakonomics Radio How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? (Ep. 289 Rebroadcast)
Jul 1, 2021
Dive into the curious obsession with lawns in America and question if they're truly worth the environmental costs. Discover the staggering resources used for lawn maintenance and explore the health impacts of noise pollution from lawn care tools. Learn about the shift towards sustainable landscaping and the rise of front yard gardens as a practical alternative. Enjoy humorous insights into grass types and reflect on how traditional lawns can transform into productive spaces. It’s a lively discussion flanked by cultural critiques and innovative ideas!
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History of Lawns
- Lawns originated in 16th-century England on estates, evolving from open spaces or glades.
- America adopted lawns early on, but their widespread use exploded after World War II with suburbanization, notably in Levittown.
Size of the Lawn Care Industry
- Americans spend roughly $60 billion yearly on the turf grass industry, encompassing supplies and services for various properties.
- Lawns make up two-thirds of this industry's total square footage which comes out to 40.5 million acres of turf which is bigger than the state of Iowa and almost 2% of the United States total area.
Lawns as Carbon Sinks
- Christina Malese, a former NASA scientist, researched the carbon footprint of lawns.
- Despite water and fertilizer use, lawns act as net carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon than emitted through maintenance.