The Issue Globally, sustainability is a minimum required action that will ensure a flourishing planet in the long term. Locally, sustainability is important to ensure that the social, environmental and economic systems that make up the Las Vegas Valley are providing a healthy and meaningful quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In recent years our city has increased its population by thousands. With every new arrival consumption increases and life-sustaining resources decline. One such resource is water. Lake Mead provides 90% of our drinking water. Lately, Lake Mead's water levels are alarmingly low. Whether because of an extended drought period, climate change, or over-consumption, the same question remains: Will we have enough water and other natural resources to sustain our growing population? Because of southern Nevada's arid climate, water is one of our most valued resources. For this reason, among others, sustainability is not just another issue on the news, but a responsibility for every household in our valley.
CDSN Plans The CDSN undertakes projects that help educate the public about natural resource issues. Check out related pages on our website to see some of what we have done right here at home directly related to our valley's water quality. Our Stormwater Quality Education project dealt with being aware of the water we send back to Lake Mead, our chief source of drinking water. Pet waste, trash on the streets, and chemicals from vehicles all get washed into the gutter after a precipitation event. They go from the gutter into our storm drains and straight to Lake Mead. With the lakes water levels being what they are, everyone needs to be more conscious of the cleanliness of our water source. Though our Stormwater Quality Education project is now complete, we are constantly searching for new projects that promote natural resource conservation and sustainability practices. What You Can Do To Help Education is the key. The more you know about sustainability the more aware you are of your household's impact on the environment and steps you can take to minimize that impact and cut costs. There are numerous websites, books and newspaper articles, as well as a great deal of other resources you can turn to in order to learn more. Here is some information and a few tips on how to make your home more sustainable:
Recycle
Recycling prevents waste of potentially useful materials while reducing the consumption of fresh raw materials. Recycling reduces energy use, reduces air pollution (from incineration) and reduces water pollution (from landfills) by decreasing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and has lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production.
Tips:
- If you are not already a recycling home, there is no better time to start than now! If you are unsure how or where to begin, visit the Republic Services website where you will find information on recycling and how to become a customer. Also check out Republic Service's Residential Recycling Pilot Program which allows for the commingling of recyclables, to see if it is right for your neighborhood. - The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is committed to providing comprehensive waste reduction, recycling, and resource management in an efficient, timely manner through their Rebel Recycling Program. - For more information on computer and electronic recycling please visit the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and the Blind Center of Nevada websites.
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation reduces energy consumption and demand thus offsetting some growth in energy supply needed to keep up with population growth, ultimately slowing the rise in energy costs. Energy conservation reduces emissions, making it an important part of minimizing the impact on climate change. Energy conservation is often the most economical solution to energy shortages, and is a more environmentally friendly alternative to increased energy production.
Tips:
- Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Turn off computers when they are not in use. Many people are unaware that just because you have logged off that does not mean the computer is not still using energy. Shut it off completely. The same goes for cell phone chargers. If you are not charging your phone, unplug it. - In the summer months, turn up the temperature on your A/C when no one is home. Leaving your A/C to run all day will run up your energy bill. - For more tips and advice on how you can conserve energy while lowering your monthly bill please visit the Nevada Energy website.
Water Conservation
Water is one of the most valuable natural resources, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. Growth and development in this region will continue to be dictated to a large extent by the availability of adequate water supplies. Increasing pressure is being placed on water users to become more efficient in all aspects of water utilization. Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water. This stretches our supplies farther, and protects valuable resources like Lake Mead.
Tips:
- Take a shorter shower. Every five minutes of showering uses anywhere between 12 and 25 gallons of water. - If you wash dishes by hand, fill one half of the sink with soapy water and the other half with clean water instead of letting the water run. Cut down on running water during other activities such as shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands. - Wash only full loads in your washing machine, or adjust the water level to reflect the size of the load. - Try planting drought-tolerant and regionally adapted plants, especially in areas that are hard to water or receive little water. Use water saving landscape designs, such as Drip Irrigation, and avoid watering your landscape during the hottest hours of the day (10 am until 6 pm) to minimize evaporation. - For more helpful tips on how you can conserve water and save money please visit the Southern Nevada Water Authority website.
Carbon Emissions
Carbon dioxide emissions come primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas used in making electricity at power plants and gasoline and petroleum diesel that run internal combustion engines in our cars, boats, trains, planes, and trucks. There are millions of internal combustion engines around the world that run on fossil fuels. Collectively, these engines are dumping millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere making it more difficult to remedy the negative impacts of climate change and global warming.
Tips:
- Many people underestimate the pleasure of a nice walk or bike ride. If you are running errands or looking to get a good exercise, consider walking or biking as an option to reach your destinations. For a bike map or more information on biking in the Las Vegas area visit the Regional Transportation of Southern Nevada's website. - If you have to drive try to plan your trip so that you are not doubling back while going from location to location. You will complete your errands more efficiently and use less gas. - Another term you may be familiar with is "Carbon Footprint." Every household emits Carbon. Depending on the way you manage your home, the amount you generate may be greater or less than others. Click on the link below to calculate your own carbon footprint and see what you can do to leave less of an impression on the planet we call home.
Sage Steps is an online resource that allows individuals and families to measure their environmental impact based on electricity, natural gas, water, and fuel usage. Commercial businesses may also use this resource to measure electricity usage. Just a small variation in your lifestyle choice can have a big impact on the environment. This program allows you to monitor these choices using what is known as a "Sage Score". This score is entered by the individual and designed to track usage over time. Scoring is localized, weighted regionally, and empowers people to understand and improve the choices they make on a daily basis. If you are curious about your Sage Score and would like to start tracking your usage please visit the Sage Steps website!
For information on CDSN partners please visit our Partnerships page.
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