A gas-free summer
Posted: 11:59AM August 29th, 2011 | Comments
Yesterday, I biked to the Union and jumped into a small sailboat. Yes, one reaction is, “that sounds like a perfect late summer afternoon.” And it was (except when the wind gave up for gone and left us stranded in the middle of Lake Mendota, but still, not the worst predicament.) But the broader concept is that I spent the entire afternoon enjoying Madison without burning a single droplet of gasoline.
I’m not trying to crow. Instead, I was left pondering; namely: Yeah, summer is great in Madison, but couldn’t it be done with less pollution? Couldn’t Madison ban gas-powered lawn mowers and limit hours of operation for two-stroke engines on the lakes? Or, perhaps have a “cash-for-clunkers” type of program where fishermen could trade in their leaky, old two-stroke engines for electric engines? Technology has advanced enough that electric engines kick in enough horse-power to move a fishing boat around our lakes, and to do so without spilling any gas into the water.
Oh sure, I love my wakeboarding and I understand Madison’s obsession with trimmed lawns, but isn't there aneasy way to have these summertime treats without ecological tradeoffs?
I mean, there is no reason that a half-acre lawn needs more than a push or electric mower. No other city has yet to push through a ban on gas-powered lawn mowers (which, in my version would have provisions/exceptions for commercial landscapers). Maybe Madison could be the first?
