It is time that Oak Bay Council phased out gas-powered leaf blowers. We ask that:

1) Oak Bay implement a phased in ban on all gas-powered leaf blowers.

2) Oak Bay create a recycling or buy back program for obsolete machines.

The reasons for our request are as follows:

Gas-powered leaf blowers contribute to climate change. 

They release about 25 lbs of CO2 per gallon of gasoline, equivalent to 2 hours work by the average leaf blower.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are highly polluting.

They produce carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and carcinogenic hydrocarbons at a literally breathtaking rate [1].  A study from 2011 found that a two stroke gas-powered leaf blower spews out more pollution that a 6200 lbs Ford F-150 pick up truck [2]. This is because a two-stroke engine combines oil and gas in a single chamber.  The design also means that  one-third of the fuel may be emitted as unburned aerosol.

They are extremely noisy.

Gas-powered leaf blowers produce about 115 decibels at source, and about 80 decibels at 15 metres distance.  This can cause long term physical and mental health issues, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and stress-related diseases [3]. 

They are very destructive of the environment.

Leaf blowers destroy insect life, with deleterious consequences both for soil quality and the food chain.

There are  powerful, cheaper, more efficient alternatives [4].

Many companies, such as the Electric Lawn Company in Oak Bay and Red Door Landscape in Victoria [5]​ [6], have switched to electric equipment entirely. Cheaper still, and better for communal health, are rakes.

California, Washington DC, the National Capital Commission in Ottawa, and many other jurisdictions are phasing out or banning leaf blowers.

The City of Victoria is considering amending its noise bylaws, in effect banning leaf blowers. All of us have to make the transition from fossil fuels to meet our commitments to keep climate change within reasonable limits. This is one small step we can do.

Please note that only residents of Oak Bay, and people who work there, should sign this petition

[1] Margaret Renkl, New York Times, Oct.21st, 2021 (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/opinion/leaf-blowers-california-emissions.html?referringSource=articleShare)
[2] https://www.edmunds.com/about/press/leaf-blowers-emissions-dirtier-than-high-performance-pick-up-trucks-says-edmunds-insidelinecom.html
[3] Dr. Erica Walker, CBC, Oct.22nd, 2021 (https://www.cbc.ca/radio/spark/what-noise-is-doing-to-our-brains-1.6207934)
[4] "The 6 Best Leaf Blowers of 2021" New York Times, Nov. 3rd, 2021 (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-leafblowers/)
[5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/06/30/electric-lawn-care/
[6] https://www.cheknews.ca/victoria-city-council-could-ban-gas-powered-leaf-blowers-by-2023-925225/