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Based on the "Gas or grass?" section of the article, here is the breakdown of the environmental impact of petrol lawn mowers versus natural carbon cycles:
Gas vs. Grass: The Carbon Reality
While a lawn is a biological system that captures carbon, using a petrol mower creates a net increase in atmospheric $CO_2$.
The Carbon Cycle: Grass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and converts it to energy for growth.
Carbon Release: Some carbohydrates are returned to the atmosphere immediately through respiration when grass is cut.
Decomposition: If clippings are left on the lawn, soil microbes break down the organic matter, releasing nutrients and enabling further sequestration.
The Petrol Problem: Fossil fuels like oil or gas represent carbon that has been underground for hundreds of millions of years.
The Verdict: A petrol mower emits $CO_2$ that is not part of the current natural carbon cycle, meaning its emissions cannot be offset by the carbon capture of the lawn.
A Low-Tech Alternative
One contributor, Chris Daniel, switched from a heavy-duty brush-cutter to a scythe for several reasons:
Health: He began developing "vibration white finger" from using powered machinery.
Wildlife Protection: He wanted to stop accidentally killing reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, while mowing his wildflower meadow.
Efficiency: He found that a scythe, a tool refined over 5,000 years, allowed a job that previously took two weeks to be completed in just two days.
Would you like me to find the solutions to the "Quick quiz" or "Cryptic crossword" shown in the sidebar?
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