My partner decided to take a nap the other day when it got really smoking hot.
And, just like clockwork, up started a gas-powered leaf blower as landscapers worked on grooming the grounds of our Burnaby condo building..
“Can you go yell at him; I’m trying to sleep,” my partner asked.
“Um, no, sorry honey, I can’t do that,” I replied.
But I wanted to yell at him. Really loud.
The noise is terrible when you are working from home all the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s not just about being a nuisance.
There’s also the greenhouse gas emissions that could easily by stopped by using electric equipment.
Two Vancouver city councillors, Coun. Adriane Carr and Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, have motions coming up at next week's council meeting taking aim at two-stroke engines used in landscaping equipment. The small, loud, gas-powered engines are often used for a variety of landscape equipment, from chainsaws to leaf blowers. Both motions take aim at the noise and greenhouse gas emissions.
Burnaby council should really follow suit if they mean what they say about being a leader in green policies.
In a statement, Carr writes that two-stroke engines are inefficient when compared to other gas engines. In her motion she also notes there are comparable electric versions that are on the market currently.
"The battery-powered equipment produces much less noise and vibration, no direct emissions of greenhouse gasses or health-harming air contaminants, and is often lighter than its gas-powered counterpart," states Carr. "These technological advances are expected to continue."
Carr's motion also notes the Vancouver School Board is transitioning to "emission-free alternatives" and both motions highlight the Vancouver parks board's move to "zero-emission" equipment.
"Full transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. A U.B.C. study estimated that if the Park Board switched all of its 2-stroke engines to electric, by year two it would save $300,000 to $450,000 per year," notes Carr in her motion.
Both also cite noise as a major factor as well; the province's HealthLink website states sounds above 85 decibels are harmful depending on how often and how long someone is exposed, and what sort of protection they wear. HealthLink also notes lawn mowers are around 90 decibels.
This could really be an easy win for the City of Burnaby. All it takes is the will to make a difference.
- With additional reporting by Brendan Kergin, Vancouver is Awesome
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
