News and Resources

Landcare, Climate change, Air pollution Marina Jokic Landcare, Climate change, Air pollution Marina Jokic

The problem with gas-powered leaf blowers

The article by Allyson Chiu highlights the environmental and health issues associated with gas-powered leaf blowers, including noise pollution, toxic emissions, and habitat disruption. Gas leaf blowers emit significant amounts of pollutants and carbon emissions, contributing to climate change, while their noise can affect human health and wildlife. Many U.S. cities are banning or limiting their use in favor of quieter and cleaner electric alternatives.

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A sleepless Louisiana community battles noise pollution: ‘It’s like torture’

The article highlights the struggles of a community on Hano Road, Louisiana, which faces persistent noise pollution due to frequent gravel and garbage truck traffic, mainly active between 1 a.m. and 5 p.m. This issue reflects a broader national problem, as the federal Office of Noise Abatement and Control has been defunct for four decades, leaving noise regulation largely to local governments.

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Landcare Marina Jokic Landcare Marina Jokic

This is the future of lawn mowers

The article references Quiet Communities and its president, Jamie Banks, who emphasizes the reduced noise pollution and environmental benefits of electric lawn mowers compared to gas-powered models. Banks points out that electric mowers require less maintenance, ultimately resulting in cost savings and creating a friendlier environment for ecosystems and pollinators.

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Traffic noise, Transportation noise Marina Jokic Traffic noise, Transportation noise Marina Jokic

How noise pollution from planes, trains and automobiles can harm human health

The NPR Short Wave episode discusses the issue of noise pollution, emphasizing its harmful health impacts such as increased blood pressure, stress hormones, and risks of cardiovascular diseases. Joanne Silberner highlights everyday sources like highways and gas-powered tools and their disproportionate effects on poorer communities.

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Why scientists who study noise pollution are calling for more regulation

The NPR article written by Joanne Silberner, emphasizes the need for stricter noise pollution regulation due to its documented health effects, such as increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Despite the Noise Control Act of 1972, noise regulation has been underfunded and understudied, evident with the closure of the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and Control in 1981. Quiet Communities recently sued the EPA to encourage enforcement of noise regulations.

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Quiet! Our Loud World Is Making Us Sick

The Scientific American article discusses the health risks of noise pollution, including heart disease and diabetes, caused by disruptions to sleep and increased stress. Jamie Banks, who founded Quiet Communities to advocate for noise regulation after experiencing excessive landscaping noise, remains hopeful for future federal action to address and regulate harmful noise levels.

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Landcare, Public health, Emissions, Leaf blowers Marina Jokic Landcare, Public health, Emissions, Leaf blowers Marina Jokic

The problem with gas-powered leaf blowers

The article addresses the environmental and health issues of gas-powered leaf blowers, which emit significant pollutants and produce disruptive noise affecting communities and wildlife. A MASSPIRG report highlights their carbon emissions, equivalent to pollution from 135,000 cars in Massachusetts in 2020. Many cities, alongside advocacy groups like Quiet Communities, are pushing for a shift to quieter, electric models. Restrictions are increasing, with California set to ban new gas-powered tools next year.

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Public health Marina Jokic Public health Marina Jokic

Fighting noise pollution

The NPR interview addresses noise pollution as a significant health risk, causing issues like heart disease and hypertension. Jamie Banks, founder of Quiet Communities, and Erica Walker discuss its impact, particularly in minority communities, and emphasize the need for better awareness and regulation. While Europe has effective noise-reduction strategies, the U.S. lacks a comprehensive approach. The goal is to promote quiet as essential for health and learning, encouraging communities to mitigate excessive noise.

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Noise mitigation Marina Jokic Noise mitigation Marina Jokic

Experts Suggest How And Why To Reduce Noise At Home

Noise from transport and household sources can harm well-being, causing stress and health issues. Experts recommend using double-paned windows and insulation to reduce noise. Addressing acoustics during home construction or remodeling is key, and noise machines can help mask sounds. Jamie Banks, founder of Quiet Communities, is cited in the article.

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Landcare Marina Jokic Landcare Marina Jokic

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is the first U.S. botanic garden to receive AGZA Green Zone certification by transitioning to electric landscaping equipment. This effort, in collaboration with AGZA and Quiet Communities, aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50 tons annually. A ceremony and summit will celebrate and discuss these sustainable practices.

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Landcare Marina Jokic Landcare Marina Jokic

Lawn care is going electric. And the revolution is here to stay

The article highlights the growing trend of electric lawn care equipment in the U.S., driven by a desire for quieter and more eco-friendly solutions. Communities like Mountain Brook, Alabama, are transitioning to electric tools to reduce noise and emissions, despite higher initial costs and some performance challenges. The shift is gaining momentum nationwide, with figures like Jamie Banks of Quiet Communities advocating for widespread adoption to maximize environmental benefits.

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Landcare, Leaf blowers, Public health Marina Jokic Landcare, Leaf blowers, Public health Marina Jokic

Noisy, but that’s not all: the health threat posed by leaf blowers

The article highlights the health risks and pollution from gas-powered leaf blowers, which emit toxic pollutants. Workers face health issues from exposure, and despite regulations pushing for electric alternatives, industry resistance persists. Advocacy groups like Quiet Communities, founded by Jamie Banks, are working to promote the transition to electric equipment to reduce health and environmental impacts.

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Public health, Landcare, Leaf blowers, Emissions Marina Jokic Public health, Landcare, Leaf blowers, Emissions Marina Jokic

Noisy, but that’s not all: the health threat posed by leaf blowers

The article by Stuart Silverstein and Anne Boiko-Weyrauch discusses the pollution and health risks from gas-powered leaf blowers, highlighting emissions of toxic substances like benzene and ultrafine particles that pose serious health risks, particularly to landscaping workers. Jamie Banks, founder of Quiet Communities, is mentioned for advocating against noise and emissions from such equipment. Efforts to switch to electric equipment are growing, supported by incentives in some regions to promote cleaner alternatives.

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