The answer is probably still “no” – but here’s some data in favor of lawns that can help enliven and inform the debate!

First off, check out this great article from NASA about research on the many impacts of lawns. One of the surprising parts of this research was seeing how lawns can function as a carbon sink, helping to alleviate carbon levels.

Of course another great use of lawns is recognizing that since they already are being used to grow plants, they may as well grow food. For example, this same article points out that we have 3 times as much land being used for lawns than irrigated corn production in the US (note the irrigated part). Anyone interested in this should check out the classic guide Edible Landscaping.

Since so many people have lawns, it’s nice to look at ways that they can contribute to the solution, and not just the problem.

Of course, the real question is how much more of a carbon sink would you have with a lawn compared to a lawn with xeriscaping or native landscaping? Just being a carbon sink doesn’t mean it’s not still a net loss compared to what it could be….

And another question is this: how much does lawn-culture contributes to sprawl and how the negative impacts of sprawl on carbon outweigh the minor benefits of lawns as carbon sinks?

Finally, lest anyone forget, gas lawn mowers belong to the devil! See this nice summary of the problems, as well as great info on solutions.

Oh – and to end on an up-note: here’s a new ROBOTIC! electric lawnmower! I mean, that’s at least got some cool points….