Sod's Law

An Auckland University of Technology study, reviewed 65 papers, in which emissions/sequestrations of carbon were compared in turf or lawn, with those of trees (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/13/time-to-branch-out-trees-put-lawns-in-the-shade-when-it-comes-to-tackling-climate-crisis). The authors of this study suggested that, replanting one third of the world's city-located lawns with trees, would, over 20 years, remove more than a gigatonne of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Mowing, fertilisation and irrigation of the lawn environments, were essentially environmentally problematic. Lawns are also, somewhat by default, monocultures of Rye grass. In 2021, 30 UK councils subscribed to the 'No Mow May' directive. Stopping grass cutting, did increase species diversity (benefitting insect pollinators). In terms of 'greenhouse gas' emissions, however, ceasing to mow, was markedly inferior to planting trees in such locations. Trees can also cool the atmosphere in hot cities. Their presence also benefits human health and a sense of wellbeing. Let there be trees, rather than lawns, in our cities! Certainly, don't replace lawns by hardstanding for car parking!