It’s autumn in North America, and that signifies that owners and contractors are busy eradicating suburban leaves. It’s virtually not possible to keep away from the deafening roar of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Right here’s what we all know, doubtless:
- Utilizing a leaf blower is unhealthy for the listening to and respiration of the person, typically a low-paid employee with no actual choices.
- They’re annoyingly loud, and will be heard from blocks away.
- There are a lot quieter, safer and cleaner options, simply obtainable. In the long term, they’re additionally cheaper.
We additionally know that:
- In a single hour, a gas-powered leaf blower will emit as a lot carbon dioxide equal as driving a typical inner combustion engine automotive 3,000 miles. (That’s not a typo). The main points are right here.
- The aggressive nature of commodity backyard care pushes gardeners to decide on the quickest, least expensive possibility, whatever the prices to the employees, the neighborhood or the local weather.
- The expertise to interchange gasoline leaf blowers is confirmed, cheap and available. And but… They’re nonetheless right here. And the reason being that they’re handy, a sunk value and a short-term revenue hack.
The answer, if we’re severe, is to ban gasoline leaf blowers. The replacements can pay for themselves in a couple of weeks. As soon as the aggressive taking part in discipline is re-set, gardeners will come out forward. Worker well-being will improve, and the leaves will nonetheless get blown.
So what’s the issue?
We’re not severe sufficient about making change occur. If we cared sufficient to get two dozen pals and neighbors to indicate up on the village corridor, the rules may very well be modified in a couple of conferences.
However generally it’s simpler to do nothing.
