Go Green

Bio

My name is John Kivler and I am a 29 year old small business owner in the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton area of northeastern Pennsylvania. The name of my business is Higher Standards Landscaping and Services. This will be my 4th year in business.  I grew up in public housing and was raised fatherless with a handicapped mother who had a stroke in her early twenties so I've seen depression, poverty, limitations, and negativity in every form.  Most people say to me when I share my dreams that I shouldn't have so much ambition because I'm setting myself up for failure.  What they don't seem to realize is if I start to listen to their doubt then I'll stop believing I can, so I will never even try; that is failure to me. Landscaping has a direct impact on the environment.  It is a common practice to use chemicals to enhance and maintain properties not to mention the pollution that comes from lawn and garden equipment.  Gas lawn mowers consume over 800 million gallons of gasoline (60% of which is imported) in the U.S. every year. A typical gas mower spews a stunning 87 pounds of carbon dioxide and an additional 54 pounds of other harmful emissions into the atmosphere each season.  There are probably almost as many lawn mowers in this country as there are people.  There are alternatives for landscaping and maintenance that only have a positive affect on the environment without affecting performance or quality such as battery powered lawn and garden equipment and organic material.  Think of the difference it would make if we can just change this one thing. Business is the essence of this country and the way we conduct it will shape our future. One person can make a difference but groups make dynamic impacts.