After viewing the video that actress Julianne Moore created for Moms Clean Air Force, I was so impressed by Julianne's strong reverence for the environment and protecting children's health that I held a mini-JM film festival and made my husband sit through a few of my favorites...
The Kids Are Alright, Crazy, Stupid Love, Nine Months, Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, The End of the Affair, Far From Heaven... but, I could not bring myself to watch Hannibal again!
So, when I spied Julianne Moore's name on the cover of this month's Architectural Digest, I grabbed a copy and languished over the magazine spread of Julianne's flourishing lush, green outdoor retreat. The yard is even equipped with a canine comfort station for her dog, Cherry, and a freestanding basketball hoop for her "two sporty guys."
Gardens in full bloom need constant maintenance. How do you keep your outdoor space well tended, and also keep the garden air clean? It just so happens the EPA has a wonderful document called "Your Yard and Clean Air":
Small power equipment emissions from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums and similar outdoor power equipment are a significant source of pollution. They emit high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. They also emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone impairs lung function, inhibits plant growth, and is a key ingredient of smog.
6 Ways To Prevent Air Pollution in Your Yard and Garden
By combining the strategies below, you can reduce your personal contribution to air pollution.
1. Avoid spilling gasoline.
Preventing spills and overfills is an easy and effective way for power equipment owners to prevent pollution. Even small gasoline spills evaporate and pollute the air.
2. Maintain your equipment.
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance. Change oil and clean or replace air filters regularly. Use the proper fuel/oil mixture in two-stroke equipment. Get periodic tune ups, maintain sharp mower blades and keep the underside of the deck free of mold buildup.
3. Consider cleaner options.
Cleaner gasoline equipment such as propane and solar options are available for some types of equipment. Electric equipment is cleaner than equipment powered by gasoline engines. However, generating the power to run electric equipment does produce pollution.
4. Use manual tools.
Tools that don't require electric or gasoline engines are the cleanest for the air. Push mowers that generate no emissions.
5. Reduce mowing time.
Decrease lawn area and plant additional trees and shrubs to reduce the energy costs of heating and cooling your house and to provide landscaping for wildlife.
6. Recycle old equipment.
Instead of selling or giving away your old lawn and garden power tools, take them to a recycling center where they can be converted into raw material for use in cleaner equipment.
Why Julianne Moore joined the Moms Clean Air Force and watch her video here.
Please take action with Moms Clean Air Force.
Photos here via Architectural Digest.