It looks like it’s time for another round of eco-shaming, and this time around the New York Times has set its sights on how maintaining your lawn can contribute to climate change, and provided the history to show “how we got here”:
Well-manicured lawns have long been a symbol of the "American dream." But maintaining them can contribute to climate change. So, why even have lawns? We traced their history. https://t.co/EDtxsEtZk2
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 9, 2019
The wealthy, influenced by European estates, had lawns first: A month after the U.S. declared independence, George Washington was planning his own. But by the 1870s, lawns were accessible to the upper-middle class. And the 1950s, they were in the suburbs. https://t.co/UZOlQVwE1J pic.twitter.com/BsdpcGqwPS
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 9, 2019
We covered the whole history of lawns in America, from The Times’s coverage of Teddy Roosevelt’s lawn-mowing to the first sprinkler patent and who's historically been excluded from having lawns of their own. Watch our full video to see how we got here. https://t.co/LL3skFxHCe
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 9, 2019
Has the Times yet done an expose on the newspaper industry’s contributions to the global warming they often report is going to be the death of humanity?
New York Times is responsible for removing half a million trees from our planet every week, so they can continue with their early 20th century environmentally devastating business model of printing daily papers, that become obsolete within 24 hours.
— Ed Jackson (@Roderickoooo) August 9, 2019
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And let’s not forget all the delivery vehicles required!
Not to be outdone, the Los Angeles Times, that’s been printed on harvested trees since 1881 and delivered with gas-powered vehicles beginning not long after that, posed this important question:
Are you willing to give up your gas stove to fight climate change? https://t.co/ZMLnNJOvcs
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) April 7, 2019
It might be easier and more environmentally helpful to give up something else:
No, I'm not willing to give up my gas stove. But I am willing to give up home delivery of the Los Angeles Times, which requires a fossil-fuel spewing vehicle. You okay with that? https://t.co/c3E9Ymk5zq
— Joel Engel (@joelengel) April 8, 2019
I'm willing to give up my subscription to the LAT if their offices are heated and cooled with wind power only
Ok I don't have a subscription. How's this? I'll subscribe if they confirm this https://t.co/hSHEgu4O8D
— DaveinTexas (@DaveinTexas) April 8, 2019
Your move, L.A. Times!
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