ByeByeGrass campaign urges citizens to 'make Europe wild again'

The ByeByeGrass campaign is urging citizens of Brussels to stop growing grass. The campaign, launched on Tuesday, is meant to raise awareness of the little-known negative effects of having a well-manicured lawn. 

Eliminating grassy lawns would help fight global warming, promote biodiversity and help better withstand climactic events. Mowed lawns keep nature at a permanently infant stage and waste a lot of energy. 

Instead of growing grass, ByeByeGrass recommends creating a garden, meadow or planting trees in your yard. For those who do have grass, mow it less often. This will help the roots grow deeper, causing the grass to need less water. 

Activists have planted a tree on the lawn beneath the Atomium to begin the action, along with flowers. They also are calling on the public to write to local politicians to plant more flowers along the streets.