Lawn care is a major source of residential carbon emissions.  To alleviate this problem, Chapel Hill residents should use the least-polluting models of lawn care equipment.

• ELECTRIC - For an electric lawn mower or leaf blower, CO2 emissions would depend on the source of electricity. For example, using a traditional energy source, New Jersey's Passaic County Office of Natural Resource Programs predicts that using an electric lawn mower would reduce CO2 emissions by 64%.
• MANUAL - Emissions for a push mower are non-existent, as are emissions for a rake or broom to clear leaves a debris. Both models are also relatively silent.
• SOLAR - Soon models of both tools may be available that run reliably on solar energy, reducing the emissions to zero, according to NJ's Passaic County Office of Natural Resource Programs.
• NEW MODELS - Especially with the incoming EPA regulations, it will be especially important to have the newest models since these will run most efficiently and will be subject to the new regulations.

    The EPA(pdf) suggests planting native wildflowers and plants, as well as more shrubs and trees to reduce the necessity of lawn care tools such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers.

    In addition, they suggest using "low maintenance turf grasses or grass/flower seed mixtures that grow slowly and require less mowing" and are "appropriate to the region."