Which Way, L.A.?

Drought and Our Love Affair with Lawns

Climate change and a shortage of water will change California in many ways — including the way it looks. Now that Governor Brown has ordered 25% cutbacks in urban areas, one imminent casualty is the green, grassy lawn.

By Warren Olney • Apr 7, 2015 • 25m Listen

Climate change and a shortage of water will change California in many ways — including the way it looks. Now that Governor Brown has ordered 25% cutbacks in urban areas, one imminent casualty is the green, grassy lawn. It's hard to imagine California without millions of lawns, but Governor Brown says, "You just can't live the way you always have." In urban areas, half the water goes for landscaping, so lawns will begin to vanish from private yards as well as public spaces. Is green grass headed for the dustbin of California history? We hear about subsidized turf removal, sustainable replacements and a class called, Look, Ma, No Lawn!.

Photo: Bruce Evans