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 A
cleaner environment with more efficient landscape lighting
This fact sheet will give you some landscaping tips
that will help you save energy and money year-round, including climate
and site considerations, design and planning, and tree and shrub
selection.
Landscaping for a Cleaner Environment
Widespread tree planting and climate-appropriate landscaping offer
substantial environmental benefits. Trees and vegetation control
erosion, protect water supplies, provide food, create habitat for
wildlife, and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing
oxygen.
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) estimates that urban America
has 100 million potential tree spaces (i.e., spaces where trees could be
planted). NAS further estimates that filling these spaces with trees and
lightening the color of dark, urban surfaces would result in annual
energy savings of 50 billion kilowatt-hours—25% of the 200 billion
kilowatt-hours consumed every year by air conditioners in the United
States. This would reduce electric power plant emissions of carbon
dioxide by 35 million tons (32 million metric tons) annually and save
users of utility-supplied electricity $3.5 billion each year (assuming
an average of $0.07 per kilowatt-hour).
Also, some species of trees, bushes, and grasses require less water
than others. Some species are naturally more resistant to pests, so they
require less pesticides. Another alternative to pesticides is
integrated pest management, an emerging field that uses least-toxic
pest control strategies. One example is to introduce certain insects
such as praying mantises or ladybugs to feed on—and limit populations
of—landscape-consuming pests.
Certain grasses, such as buffalo grass and fescue, only grow to a
certain height—roughly 6 inches (15 centimeters) and are water thrifty.
By using these species, you can eliminate the fuel, water, and time
consumption associated with lawn mowing, watering, and trimming. Also,
recent studies have found that gasoline-powered mowers, edge trimmers,
and leaf blowers contribute to air pollution.
NOTICE
Neither Moods Outdoor Lighting.com, nor any of their
employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal
liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or
usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed,
or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service
by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not
necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or
favoring by Moods Outdoor Lighting.com. The views and opinions of
authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of
Moods Outdoor Lighting.com.
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