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:
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For anyone interested, I believe this is a link to the original study available from Wiley. Or see this LA Times piece...
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