Hey Danvers! It’s finally time: school’s out, the sun is shining, summer is here! Today, we’re going to lay out five ways you can make sure your summer season is a sustainable and resilient one.
#1 Conserve outdoor water where you can
The EPA says that, if the average sized lawn in the United States is watered for 20 minutes every day for 7 days, it's like running the shower constantly for 4 days or taking more than 800 showers. That's equivalent to the amount of water needed for the average family to take 1 year's worth of showers! Be smarter and more sustainable while you keep your yard and plants healthy this year: check out Danvers’ water conservation rebates.
#2 Make your yard equipment all-electric
Gas-powered lawn mowers are an often-underestimated source of home greenhouse gas emissions. Gas lawnmowers can also contribute to local air pollution and are often just noisy and disruptive. Switch to an electric mower or other cordless equipment this year and reduce your emissions while enjoying a smoother, quieter lawn care experience! Take advantage of the rebates the Town has to offer.
#3 Plant native species when gardening
Native plants, those species that are indigenous to our region, are found to use less water, provide better habitats for pollinators, and thrive more easily in home gardens. When getting into the garden this summer, consider using a native planting guide to find some species that would work well in your garden!
#4 Take a local “vacation”
We all know that flying on planes and taking long car rides produce significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. This summer, stay local and cut down on travel emissions in a big way. Danvers offers several great recreational options, and we are lucky to live so close to wonderful beaches and natural areas to enjoy nearby.
#5 Stay resilient to high heat
Danvers, like the rest of Massachusetts, is expected to see an increase in local temperatures over the next few decades due to climate change. As summer heats up, make sure you know how to stay safe: check out our recent Resilient Danvers blog on extreme heat resilience for tips and more information.
Thank you for reading! Enjoy your sustainable, resilient summer!