What would happen if LA replaced all its lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping?

2016-09-06T13:13:00-04:00

A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California found that replacing all lawns with drought-tolerant vegetation would have a net cooling effect of 0.2°C — but the science is less obvious than you might think. In fact, converting lawns has resulted in daytime warming of up to 1.9°C, mostly because of decreases in irrigation. But at nighttime, changes in soil thermodynamic properties, which strengthen sea breeze patterns, cool the city by 3.2°C.

In short, replacing all lawns would have significant, and beneficial, effects for public health. And, of course, it helps preserve already-scarce water supplies.

The study also seems to prove incorrect articles that suggested replacing lawns would make LA hotter.

For more on the on-going drought afflicting California, check out these links:

What California's 30 million dead trees mean for its future landscape
California eases some drought restrictions but makes others permanent
One CEO's plan to supply water to drought-stricken ...

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What would happen if LA replaced all its lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping?