AS THE warmer weather starts, people are looking to tidy their gardens and to spend more time outside enjoying the sunshine – but at what cost to nature and biodiversity?
There seems to have been a rush on Facebook from people asking for recommendations of the best people to install artificial lawns.
The question ‘Why would you want artificial grass?’ has been asked but no response.
Have people actually thought this through and considered the impact on biodiversity and nature if they install what amounts to a plastic carpet for a lawn.
Strong weedkillers are applied after the existing turf has been removed to kill the roots of any weeds that remain before the ground is compacted and made ready.
These chemicals destroy microbes in the soil which are beneficial and the insects that eat the dead leaves etc which enriches the soil.
Birds will fall prey to the toxic chemicals these may have ingested if eaten. We also know there has been a serious decline in both the bird and bee population in this country over the past 20 years.
Plastic breaks down into microplastics so children rolling around playing on this artificial surface may inhale these damaging their health.
We know the ‘lawn’ will have a limited life expectancy so will have to be replaced. It can’t be rotted down on a compost heap but will end up in landfill or the incinerator adding to increasing existing pollution levels.
We are also highly aware of known benefits to mental health from sitting out in the sunshine, feeling the earth between our fingers and the grass under our feet. Please let’s keep it that way.
Bromsgrove Climate Action’s first Poety Competition
This month we launch our first-ever poetry competition – winners will be announced on carnival day where we will have a stall in Sanders Park.
The topics are:
First school – Bees, butterflies and creepy crawlies
Middle and high schools – anything nature related, such as ‘If trees could talk what would they say?’
Adults – changes noticed in the natural environment, for example in Bromsgrove district.
Nature pictures from the children not yet writing – which can be photographed.
Otherwise entries must be no larger than A5 and a 30-line limit.
Email entries to [email protected] – all entries must be received by June 30.
In the next week, full competition details will appear on the Bromsgrove Climate Action Facebook page where people can also go to join BCA.
