4 ms·

Lawns are really not the problem though. Golf course maybe. The problem is thirsty crops like alfalfa grown in the desert and then shipped out of state.

ncmncm 5y ago
It will take legislation to cut off the golf courses. Most likely it will need a ballot measure, because what legislator is going to vote for cutting off the golf courses?
TaylorAlexander 5y ago
I think lawns have an important role psychologically. There’s something amiss to me about continuing to dump water on non-native grasses in a major drought. Part of solving climate change is about changing our minds. And I’ve always felt happy to see brown lawns since the draught started. If the actual effect of lawns is truly insignificant then that’s one thing, but if it’s a borderline case I’d factor in the psychological value. Brown lawns or natural landscaping are a sign of unity on this important issue.
- blooalien 5y ago
  You mention a huge part of an easy start to a solution to one part of the problem a couple times… "non-native grasses", "natural landscaping". It's entirely possible to create a really pleasant yardscape with native plants that require little to no care once placed, and can still supply that green which the human psyche seems to require. The hard part is convincing the cities to stop fining and harassing folks who choose that over a standard "golf course" lawn.
  - TaylorAlexander 5y ago
    Agreed. And ooof a state ballot measure to prevent cities from fining people for this might be a good idea hmm...
- kemiller 5y ago
  That’s why my front lawn is dead dead dead but I have a small patch of green in the back. I get the psychology angle, but when we grow cheap commodity crops with irrigation water only to ship them to China where they are fed to cattle is outrageous. We tend (maybe nobly) to focus on the insignificant steps we can take (navy showers?!) personally while ignoring the politically difficult but much more impactful big steps.
  - TaylorAlexander 5y ago
    Absolutely. Much can be said about superficial activism or "meme activism". We should certainly be concerned with the ways we mine the earth for profit even as we are running out of drinking water. We can build a system that better cares for each person without exploiting the earth for endless profit.

ncmncm 5y ago

It will take legislation to cut off the golf courses. Most likely it will need a ballot measure, because what legislator is going to vote for cutting off the golf courses?

TaylorAlexander 5y ago

I think lawns have an important role psychologically. There’s something amiss to me about continuing to dump water on non-native grasses in a major drought. Part of solving climate change is about changing our minds. And I’ve always felt happy to see brown lawns since the draught started. If the actual effect of lawns is truly insignificant then that’s one thing, but if it’s a borderline case I’d factor in the psychological value. Brown lawns or natural landscaping are a sign of unity on this important issue.

blooalien 5y ago
You mention a huge part of an easy start to a solution to one part of the problem a couple times… "non-native grasses", "natural landscaping". It's entirely possible to create a really pleasant yardscape with native plants that require little to no care once placed, and can still supply that green which the human psyche seems to require. The hard part is convincing the cities to stop fining and harassing folks who choose that over a standard "golf course" lawn.
- TaylorAlexander 5y ago
  Agreed. And ooof a state ballot measure to prevent cities from fining people for this might be a good idea hmm...
kemiller 5y ago
That’s why my front lawn is dead dead dead but I have a small patch of green in the back. I get the psychology angle, but when we grow cheap commodity crops with irrigation water only to ship them to China where they are fed to cattle is outrageous. We tend (maybe nobly) to focus on the insignificant steps we can take (navy showers?!) personally while ignoring the politically difficult but much more impactful big steps.
- TaylorAlexander 5y ago
  Absolutely. Much can be said about superficial activism or "meme activism". We should certainly be concerned with the ways we mine the earth for profit even as we are running out of drinking water. We can build a system that better cares for each person without exploiting the earth for endless profit.