Protect my future, and put a stop to gas leaf blowers (Letter to the editor)
I wholeheartedly believe that gas leaf blowers should be banned all year round. Gas leaf blowers put so much carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the air, that even a Ford-F150 does not spew as much as a gas leaf blower in the same amount of time it’s running.
Gas leaf blowers are so bad for the environment and risk the future of young Montclair residents because they contribute to health problems (such as asthma and lung cancer) and climate change.
I am a fifth grader at Hillside Elementary School, and as a young person, I have feared what our future holds due to pollution. People do not realize how important this issue is.
“This crisis is a big problem and there is so much gas in the air," says Solay Cohen, age 8. “It's annoying that some people think us young people can’t do anything, because we can do so much.”
Instead of fearing the future, we must act to protect it, which is why I think the perfect start is by getting rid of gas leaf blowers all year round.
Instead of using gas leaf blowers, use electric blowers, a rake, or just let your leaves decompose. Many places have begun to ban gas leaf blowers for their noise, air pollution, risk of childhood asthma, lung cancer and because they're just plain annoying. Why can't Montclair do the same? It can.
If you are a young person reading this, listen closely. Here in Montclair we can make a difference. If you wish to help, here is a list of things you can do:
- Stop using gas-powered leaf blowers.
- Talk to your local council members (and find out what ward you live in).
- Spread the word.
- If you currently use a lawn care company that uses gas leaf blowers, talk to your parents and reason with them to ask if your lawn care workers can use electric leaf blowers instead.
- Rake or let your leaves decompose
No matter what Ward or part of Montclair you are in, climate change will strike if we don't act now.
We can greatly reduce air pollution here in Montclair. So next time you have leaves on the ground, don't use gas leaf blowers.
Zoe Cohen
Montclair
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