<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for The best climate strategies don’t start in your backyard]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Laurence Aurbach http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:02:46 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/1 Leafblower sources

Your basic point is right -- cars and light trucks constitute the huge bulk of the pollution problem on the national scale. But leafblowers earn their bad reputation fair and square.

Here's the California Air Resources Board leaf blower report page.

And here's CARB's Final Leaf Blower Report.

In the final report, see Table 9, page 50 for commercial leaf blower emissions. The text says:

Another way to visualize the data is to compare emissions for a given amount of leaf blower operation to miles traveled by car. The Air Resources Board regularly publishes such emissions benchmarks. Thus, for the average 1999 leaf blower and car data presented in Table 9, we calculate that hydrocarbon emissions from one-half hour of leaf blower operation equal about 7,700 miles of driving, at 30 miles per hour average speed. The carbon monoxide emission benchmark is significantly different. For carbon monoxide, one-half hour of leaf blower useage would be equivalent to about 440 miles of automobile travel at 30 miles per hour average speed.

See Table 10, page 53 for homeowner leaf blower emissions. The text says:

Thus, for the average 1999 homeownertype leaf blower and car data presented in Table 10, we calculate that hydrocarbon emissions from one-half hour of leaf blower operation equal about 2,200 miles of driving, at 30 miles per hour average speed. The carbon monoxide emission benchmark is signficantly different. For carbon monoxide, one-half hour of a homeowner-type leaf blower useage (Table 10) would be equivalent to about 110 miles of automobile travel at 30 miles per hour average speed.

Ped Shed Blog

]]> Leafblower sources

Your basic point is right -- cars and light trucks constitute the huge bulk of the pollution problem on the national scale. But leafblowers earn their bad reputation fair and square.

Here's the California Air Resources Board leaf blower report page.

And here's CARB's Final Leaf Blower Report.

In the final report, see Table 9, page 50 for commercial leaf blower emissions. The text says:

Another way to visualize the data is to compare emissions for a given amount of leaf blower operation to miles traveled by car. The Air Resources Board regularly publishes such emissions benchmarks. Thus, for the average 1999 leaf blower and car data presented in Table 9, we calculate that hydrocarbon emissions from one-half hour of leaf blower operation equal about 7,700 miles of driving, at 30 miles per hour average speed. The carbon monoxide emission benchmark is significantly different. For carbon monoxide, one-half hour of leaf blower useage would be equivalent to about 440 miles of automobile travel at 30 miles per hour average speed.

See Table 10, page 53 for homeowner leaf blower emissions. The text says:

Thus, for the average 1999 homeownertype leaf blower and car data presented in Table 10, we calculate that hydrocarbon emissions from one-half hour of leaf blower operation equal about 2,200 miles of driving, at 30 miles per hour average speed. The carbon monoxide emission benchmark is signficantly different. For carbon monoxide, one-half hour of a homeowner-type leaf blower useage (Table 10) would be equivalent to about 110 miles of automobile travel at 30 miles per hour average speed.

Ped Shed Blog

]]> Comment #2 by Bart Anderson http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:33:30 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/2 Framework

Is this really the best framework for addressing the issue?

Namely: picking some process or behavior, calculating its current contribution to greenhouse emissions, then calibrating one's response accordingly.

For one thing, every industry under the sun will point out that ITS contribution is only X%, so why pick on them?  The airlines have already made that argument.

A second reason, is that this analysis tends to be superficial.  For example, landscapes that require leaf blowers are environmentally challenged in other ways (ask a permaculturalist for details).

Third, some issues that are not significant in terms of emissions are useful for building alliances. The many people who hate the noise of leaf blowers are potential allies.

Most importantly, this framework neglects the fact that our behaviors come in bundles. If one is aware and active about leaf blowers, one is apt to get involved in other issues as well.

Bart

Bart
Energy Bulletin

]]> Framework

Is this really the best framework for addressing the issue?

Namely: picking some process or behavior, calculating its current contribution to greenhouse emissions, then calibrating one's response accordingly.

For one thing, every industry under the sun will point out that ITS contribution is only X%, so why pick on them?  The airlines have already made that argument.

A second reason, is that this analysis tends to be superficial.  For example, landscapes that require leaf blowers are environmentally challenged in other ways (ask a permaculturalist for details).

Third, some issues that are not significant in terms of emissions are useful for building alliances. The many people who hate the noise of leaf blowers are potential allies.

Most importantly, this framework neglects the fact that our behaviors come in bundles. If one is aware and active about leaf blowers, one is apt to get involved in other issues as well.

Bart

Bart
Energy Bulletin

]]> Comment #3 by birdboy http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:46:35 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/3 mmmm, 2-stroke exhaust...

Ah, here comes another Saturday. About 8:30 in the morning, my good neighbor will start up his leaf blower and chase leaves, one at a time, down the length of his driveway to the street. An hour or two later, when he can find no more leaves, he'll crank up his lawnmower for a few trips around the 1/2 acre lot, just in case a few dandilions have dared to poke their heads up from the cold ground. Then comes the gas powered pressure washer, to spray every square inch of his Titan, his kid's ATV's, and maybe the the garage. After lunch, the kids will take over the neighborhood with their two-stroke toys, up and down the streets, under the power lines, through the easement, around and around.

These folks would kill to keep their polluting toys- the neighborhood (and the Earth) can just suck it up. I honestly believe they like the smell.

a liberal in redsville

]]> mmmm, 2-stroke exhaust...

Ah, here comes another Saturday. About 8:30 in the morning, my good neighbor will start up his leaf blower and chase leaves, one at a time, down the length of his driveway to the street. An hour or two later, when he can find no more leaves, he'll crank up his lawnmower for a few trips around the 1/2 acre lot, just in case a few dandilions have dared to poke their heads up from the cold ground. Then comes the gas powered pressure washer, to spray every square inch of his Titan, his kid's ATV's, and maybe the the garage. After lunch, the kids will take over the neighborhood with their two-stroke toys, up and down the streets, under the power lines, through the easement, around and around.

These folks would kill to keep their polluting toys- the neighborhood (and the Earth) can just suck it up. I honestly believe they like the smell.

a liberal in redsville

]]> Comment #4 by JMG http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:03:06 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/4 Yes

The obvious thing with respect to greenhouse is simply to go upstream --- count how much gas or coal or whatever and compute from there.  

So, no, goddamn infernal only-wielded-by-
obnoxious-morons leaf blowers are not really a big greenhouse threat.

As others have noted though, there are a host of other ills that accompany the damn things, particularly the inducement to commit homicide against the neighbors whom we are told to love ... even such richly justified homicide is, alas, still a crime.

Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.


]]> Yes

The obvious thing with respect to greenhouse is simply to go upstream --- count how much gas or coal or whatever and compute from there.  

So, no, goddamn infernal only-wielded-by-
obnoxious-morons leaf blowers are not really a big greenhouse threat.

As others have noted though, there are a host of other ills that accompany the damn things, particularly the inducement to commit homicide against the neighbors whom we are told to love ... even such richly justified homicide is, alas, still a crime.

Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.


]]> Comment #5 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:48:14 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/5 Noise pollution...

...don't forget 'bout that.  Electric blowers create far less noise.  And rakes and brooms create virtually none.

]]> Noise pollution...

...don't forget 'bout that.  Electric blowers create far less noise.  And rakes and brooms create virtually none.

]]> Comment #6 by spgass http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/ Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:25:05 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/leaf-blowers-not-a-big-climate-problem/6 Noise Pollution

I agree with you about leaf blowers disturbing people on the weekends.  If interested, more reasons to choose a rake over a leaf blower are at:  http://lowtechtimes.com/2008/11/14/rakes-vs-leafblowers/

]]> Noise Pollution

I agree with you about leaf blowers disturbing people on the weekends.  If interested, more reasons to choose a rake over a leaf blower are at:  http://lowtechtimes.com/2008/11/14/rakes-vs-leafblowers/

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