Save the Water!

Summertime is upon us. Between some relaxing, enjoying the pool, going to farmer’s markets and all the other activities that go with warm weather, you can bet a good number of us will be spending some time hunched over our gardens and lawns.

Americans love gardening and landscaping. It’s like playing in a grown-up sandbox. In 2006, we spent more than $27 billion dollars on professional landscaping and do-it-yourself projects. Granted, this was before the onset of the current recession, but here we see yet another convergence where being lean and green makes all too much sense.

Have you noticed “Save the Water” or “Use Only What You Need” campaigns in your hometown? Have you thought, “wait a minute — since when did we have a water problem?” To use Denver as an example, the combination of the unpredictable effects of global warming together with shifting populations and seasonal variability means that even a traditionally robust water supply can quickly come under threat. When as much as 30 percent of American’s outdoor water usage streams into our lawns, that means a lot of water and money keeping grass green. Useonlywhatyouneed.org claims a staggering 55 percent of our water usage is on outdoor watering.

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Building Green in Sin City

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, the ever-morphing city typically known for consumption and excess.  Now, the city is taking the lead in green development with one of the world’s largest environmentally-sustainable urban communities.

CityCenter, the latest addition to the Strip, is a cutting-edge destination, with an urban core that intends to blend world-class residential, hospitality, retail, gaming and entertainment elements into a synergistic hub of distinctive character.  The $8 billion venture between the MGM Mirage and Dubai World is located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, and aims for LEED certification.

Here are their eco-friendly features, according to City Center’s website:
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