THE LAWN INSTITUTE RELEASES TWO NEW INFOGRAPHICS

“You can save water and still have a healthy lawn.” Water Conservation & Lawn Care

“Turfgrass can serve as a sink for CO2.” Carbon Sequestration

Combating global warming by sequestering carbon.

president and CEO of OPEI. “Your lawn provides a wealth of environment and lifestyle benefits to you, and it enriches the community for everyone.”

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the international trade association representing the small engine, utility vehicle, and outdoor power equipment manufacturing industry points out the many benefits of lawns.

“Many people don’t realize that their turfgrass is hard at work and they are ‘using’ it 24-7. You may not be outside all the time, but you are still benefiting from your lawn, even when you are asleep,” said Kris Kiser,

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Turfgrass is the largest carbon sink in the country. Grasses remove about six tons of carbon dioxide per acre per year from the atmosphere. Carbon sinks absorb from the atmosphere the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which is warming up our planet. It’s estimated that up to 800 pounds of carbon per acre is sequestered by turfgrass each year. That’s 20 million tons of carbon being removed from the atmosphere each year in the U.S.

The dense canopy and fibrous root system in a lawn sequesters carbon so well that it outweighs the carbon used for maintaining the grass.

TPI TURF NEWS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016