Quest to save water may come at an ecological cost
By Haya El Nasser, Al Jazeera America
LOS ANGELES — Lush lawns have become vilified during California’s historic drought that is searing the state for the fourth consecutive year. And removing thirsty turf has been rewarded with generous incentives from local water districts, rebates so popular that the demand has outstripped funds available.
But now, some ecologists are raising concern that the state’s water conservation fervor may be harmful to the environment.
“The key thing is what are we replacing lawns with,” said Peter Gleick, president and co-founder of the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank based in Oakland.
Mulch and native plants are the preferred environmentally sound alternatives. But some are painting their brown grass green and even paving over their yards.
I’ve been advised not to talk about drought or a lowering lake level and low level reservoirs.
So how about a problem with “grow houses” catching on fire? People living in motels? Jobs that don’t pay a living wage? Drug use and sales and gang activity?
Yes, the drought is real and there are lots of other problems out there as well. OLS
OLS “I’ve been advised not to talk about drought or a lowering lake level…..”
REALLY!…can you share the source of this advice with the public?
DROUGHT DROUGHT DROUGHT really??? I seriously would like to know..the lake level???
UNBELIEVABLE OLS please, that is exactly the kinda CRAP we do not need anymore of, especially around here!
Thank you for mentioning how bad artificial grass is. And UCI is wrong. My kids played soccer on artificial turf and they all complained how hot their feet were. The women’s U.S. National Soccer team complained that they were made to play on artificial turf, one reason sited it is 20 degrees hotter underfoot. Drive by a golf course, then drive by cement/artificial grass fields and notice the temperature difference. I am not advocating water for golf courses, just that cement and plastic are so far from the answer; they will cause more temp increases. Cover our yards with plastic, really?!