Mia Soviero (04/19/26) The Problem with Lawns

 Lawn culture emphasizes neat, controlled landscapes, but this often comes at the cost of biodiversity and environmental health. Lawns reduce biodiversity because they replace a variety of native plants with a single type of grass, which limits habitats for insects and animals. They also require large amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, which can harm surrounding ecosystems and contribute to pollution. What stands out to me is how normalized lawns are, especially in suburban areas, even though they are not environmentally beneficial. This makes me question why this standard exists and why people continue to maintain it. I think part of it has to do with aesthetics and social expectations, where a “perfect” lawn is seen as a sign of success. It reminds me of environmental discussions about how human preferences shape ecosystems, often in harmful ways.

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