Artificial Grass Increases Urban Heat
Razaq, currently a freshman at UIndy, was a Reporter for YEPT in 2023/2024 when she also wrote for Elkhart High School’s ‘The Pennant.’ She is currently interning for YEPT. For more information about YEPT’s paid internships, contact Jim Poyser at Jim@earthcharterindiana.org.
Artificial grass is becoming a popular choice for suburban homeowners looking for low-maintenance, water-saving lawns. At first glance, it appears to be a convenient solution to the challenges of maintaining natural grass. After all, now you don’t have to worry about your lawn dying in the hot summer season or the need for constant mowing, which expends carbon emissions and air particulate pollutants. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that gas-powered lawn mowers contribute significantly to air pollution, accounting for about 5% of the nation’s total air pollution. In addition, to fuel lawn maintenance equipment, approximately 800 million gallons of gasoline are consumed annually, with an additional 17 million gallons spilled during refueling.
However, artificial grass isn’t the easy fix it presents itself to be. Rather, a myriad of environmental issues have arisen from the use of artificial grass. One of the most significant concerns is how artificial grass contributes to urban heat islands (UHIs). This problem is particularly relevant in Indiana, as urban growth and rising summer temperatures have made life more difficult for its residents in recent years.
To understand the problem, we first need to define an urban heat island. An urban heat island (UHI) is a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural or forested regions due to human activities and artificial surfaces. Materials like concrete, asphalt, and artificial turf absorb and trap heat, which raises the temperature of a given area; unlike natural vegetation, which cools the air through a process called transpiration.
UHIs can have serious consequences, including increased energy costs, higher rates of heat-related illnesses, and environmental degradation. In Indianapolis, the issue is incredibly prominent. A new analysis by Climate Central reveals that 38% of Indianapolis residents live in areas where the UHI effect raises temperatures by 8°F or more compared to nearby rural areas. To put this statistic into perspective, over 465,000 residents are living in higher heat compared to their rural counterparts. For many, this means hotter homes, higher electricity bills, and more discomfort during increasingly intense heatwaves.
One of the main ways artificial grass contributes to urban heat islands is by trapping heat. Compared to natural grass, which cools the surrounding air by releasing moisture through transpiration, artificial turf absorbs sunlight and retains heat for hours, even after the sun sets.
According to a study by Penn State University, artificial turf can reach surface temperatures of up to 93.3°C (200°F) on sunny days, while natural grass rarely exceeds 37.8°C (100°F). This can turn suburban backyards into heat traps, making them uncomfortable or even dangerous for children and pets. The heat retention doesn’t stop when the sun sets, as artificial turf continues to release heat slowly throughout the night, preventing the surrounding area from cooling down. This perpetuates the UHI effect and contributes to higher nighttime temperatures, which are especially harmful to vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with preexisting health conditions.
Photo by Oleksandr P from Pexels
The environmental downsides of artificial grass go beyond its contribution to urban heat islands. Its impermeable surface prevents water from seeping into the ground, which increases water runoff during rainstorms and can contribute to flooding. This runoff often carries pollutants, including microplastics that are shed by the turf, into local waterways. Microplastics are a growing environmental concern, as they can harm aquatic ecosystems and even be ingested by humans. Indiana is particularly vulnerable to this type of pollution due to having an extensive network of rivers.
Additionally, artificial grass displaces wildlife habitats.Unlike natural grass, which provides food and shelter for pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as small animals and beneficial insects, artificial grass is sterile and lifeless. Bees rely on grass and plants to pollinate flowers and crops, which are critical for ecosystems and even our food supply. Small insects that live in natural grass also serve as food for birds and other wildlife, creating a balanced ecosystem. When artificial turf replaces real grass, these creatures lose their habitats, leaving them with nowhere to live or feed.
This problem is even more concerning for pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are already facing serious population declines due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. According to a report from the Garden for Wildlife, suburban gardens and lawns can play an essential role in sustaining these species if they are planted with native grasses and flowers that support biodiversity. However, artificial grass contributes nothing to local ecosystems, which only further worsens the decline of species that are already under threat.
For Indiana homeowners, there are better alternatives that include aesthetics, low maintenance, and environmental benefits. Native plants, for example, are well-suited to Indiana’s climate and require minimal watering once established. Species like black-eyed Susans and prairie grasses thrive in local conditions and also provide habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Rain gardens are another excellent option, as they are designed to capture and filter rainwater while supporting biodiversity. For those looking for a more orderly and structured look in their lawns, permeable paving combined with patches of vegetation can reduce runoff and help cool the environment naturally.
From contributing to urban heat islands, to polluting waterways with microplastics, to displacing wildlife, it is clear that artificial grass exacerbates environmental challenges rather than solving them. For Indiana homeowners, the choice is obvious: sustainable landscaping options like native plants, rain gardens, and permeable surfaces can help create greener and cooler neighborhoods. As urban areas like Indianapolis face more and more challenges from climate change, these seemingly small yet significant choices can make a big difference.
