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By Ivan Chen  While grass lawns may seem visually appealing, they have little environmental benefit. (Credit: freenaturestock/Pixabay) Many homes today have grass lawns that lack native vegetation. The concept of a plain lawn on private property originates in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe, where the wealthy had labourers or animals keep their lawns in a neat appearance. Today, grass lawns are the unquestioned standard, but apart from their tidy look, they offer few environmental benefits. In fact, they negatively impact local wildlife and often demand significant resources to maintain. In contrast, a biodiverse property filled with native plants, shrubs and flowers is a tangible alternative with meaningful benefits for the planet. Benefits of a biodiverse property One advantage of a biodiverse landscape is its ability to support pollinators and local wildlife. A plain grass lawn provides almost no food or habitat for creatures. Native plants, on the other hand, can provide nectar, seeds and shelter. A lack of biodiversity and general habitat loss prevent wildlife from thriving, so creating mini-ecosystems provides safe feeding and resting spaces. Another benefit is its reduced need for water and fertilizer. Many yards in Canada use non-native turf grass, which requires more water and fertilizer to maintain. Estimates suggest that in Canada and the U.S., more water and fertilizer are used on lawn grass than on corn and wheat combined, while lawn care accounts for almost one-third of all residential water use in the U.S. Since native plants are well-adapted to local climate conditions, they don’t require fertilizer and use significantly less water compared to regular lawns. Biodiverse yards also play a role in carbon management. Native plants and trees can store more carbon than turf grass. Traditional lawns also rely on frequent mowing, and some gas-powered equipment can emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and even cancer-causing agents like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodiverse properties both capture more carbon and require less maintenance overall, avoiding some of the emissions created by lawn care. Lastly, biodiverse properties can add aesthetics that lawns cannot match. Native plant gardens can provide vibrant colours, textures and movement throughout the seasons. Green, biodiverse environments may also improve well-being by reducing anxiety and improving mood. They could even inspire neighbours to rethink their own landscapes. If more homeowners embrace biodiversity around their homes, communities can cultivate a greener urban environment. Tips on getting started Getting started with a biodiverse property can be simple with a few practical steps. A helpful first step is to research what grows best in your region and understand the conditions of the area you want to naturalize, including sunlight levels and soil type. Connecting with local experts, organizations and groups can provide support and resources both at the start and as the yard develops. The city of Toronto provides advice as well. When choosing plants, look to native plant nurseries rather than big-box stores, as they’ll likely carry plants that are suitable to the local ecosystem. Avoid pesticides, as they can harm native plants and make it harder for them to get established. With a bit of planning and the right support, transitioning to a biodiverse yard becomes a manageable and rewarding process. Summary Choosing a biodiverse property over a standard lawn brings clear environmental benefits. From supporting wildlife to reducing the need for resource-heavy maintenance, these landscapes offer more resilience in the face of growing climate pressures. By embracing a more natural yard, you’re not just changing your home’s appearance — you’re fostering a healthier community and planet. Edited by Jess Blackwell
By Ivan Chen  The environmental impact of physical and digital junk mail often goes unnoticed. (Credit: geric10/Pixabay) Our mail is often accompanied by a variety of “junk.” From restaurant promotions to shopping catalogues, this unwanted material is seen as a nuisance by many. Unfortunately, it’s not just limited to your physical mailbox — junk mail also comes in emails. While junk mail may seem harmless, it carries numerous environmental impacts. Physical junk mail consumes resources like trees and water, while digital junk mail quietly uses up energy and data storage space. Many people may overlook junk mail, but reducing it can be a simple way to minimize your environmental footprint. Physical junk mail Physical junk mail has existed for a few centuries — dating back to around the mid-to-late nineteenth century — when advertisements began appearing in newspapers and mail. Production of junk mail coincided with the growing culture of consumerism, as it enabled companies to relentlessly promote their products or services. In the United States, over 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered every year. Creating this junk mail requires millions of trees and billions of litres of water. The process also produces more carbon dioxide equivalent than two million cars. Junk mail also has to be transported, sometimes across long distances, which takes up space and weight. This can add to emissions. Despite all the resources required to make this mail, it ends up delivered, read for a moment (if at all) and discarded in the garbage or recycling. Digital junk mail The first known digital junk mail was sent in 1978, when a marketing manager sent an email advertisement to about 400 people. Fast forward to today, nearly half of all global email traffic is spam, which can amount to tens of billions of spam emails sent out to people every day. Unlike physical junk mail, digital junk mail doesn’t clutter physical spaces. However, it clutters email inboxes and quietly consumes energy. Like regular emails, spam mail requires electricity to transmit through data transmission networks and to be stored in data centres. This infrastructure that powers the internet is energy-intensive and runs nonstop. The electricity used by emails can generate a range of carbon dioxide equivalent, a measure that converts different greenhouse gases into a single carbon dioxide-based value. Some factors include the length of the email and the number of recipients — the longer the email and the higher the number of recipients, the more electricity is used. Most emails average about 1-2 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent. That may sound insignificant, but multiplied by billions of emails per day and the impact stacks up quickly. Why we overlook this problem As mentioned above, many of us may overlook the problem of junk mail because it seems insignificant. Tossing a few flyers or receiving some unwanted emails each week often does not feel like a big deal. The physical junk mail is visible, but it has become so common in society that people don’t think much about it. Digital spam has also become a part of life, but its environmental impact almost feels invisible. Together, they feel more like an inconvenience than a major problem. Reducing junk mail’s environmental impact There are actionable steps to cutting down on junk mail, both physical and digital. For physical mail, Canada Post offers the Consumers’ Choice program, where Canadians can opt out of receiving junk mail. This includes:
If you’d like to stop receiving junk mail, simply put a note in or on your mailbox where the mail carrier can see it, stating that you do not want to receive junk mail. While opting out may not necessarily stop advertisers from printing junk mail, it can still help reduce your personal footprint and signal that people care about sustainable communication. Similar steps apply to digital mail. Try to minimize your digital presence by avoiding signing up for too many newsletters and subscriptions, or any other platform or service that requires your information. Make sure to periodically review existing subscriptions. Deleting old emails is another small step that can help lessen the load on those data centres. Summary Junk mail might seem like a minor environmental issue, but across billions of people, its footprint is significant. The solution isn’t necessarily to stop communicating, but to do it more thoughtfully. Choosing to unsubscribe and be mindful about the messages we send or receive can make these overlooked aspects of life a little more sustainable. Edited by Jess Blackwell
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