Mown grass is carbon-neutral. The carbon dioxide used (and oxygen produced) during growth is exactly the same as the oxygen used (and carbon dioxide produced) as the clippings rot away.
The same is true of plants, but over a much longer period. Trees are the best because they lock in the carbon for decades. If the tree is then used to make timber for buildings, the wood doesn't rot away so the lock-in period is extended.
With lawns, account must also be taken of the oxygen used and carbon dioxide etc. produced in the weekly mowing process, and by the gardener's truck, and by the huge amounts of energy used in the production of the fertilizer and weedkiller/pesticide liberally sprayed on to the lawns.
Low-maintenance Florida-friendly plants and trees are the way to go, even without taking the water savings into account.
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