Conserving Resources: Energy and Water
A look into resource efficiency and sustainability.
Before electricity, plumbing, and modern technology, manual labor was needed to bring water and light to homes. Today, many of us are privileged to have access to energy and water at any time, with no labor required.
As population numbers grow, the demand for energy and water will exceed the amount of available energy and water worldwide.
The need for energy and water in modern-day practices has grown exponentially as populations increase and countries around the world industrialize and stabilize. Further developed countries such as the United States have access to energy sources and practices that underdeveloped countries do not, resulting in a higher usage of resources in many developed countries.
Furthermore, climate change and other environmental issues have exacerbated resource accessibility- causing wildfires, droughts, and flooding, requiring significant funding and access to resources.
Although this global problem only seems to be an inconvenience to future generations, conserving resources are a major concern for the earth and all living beings, affecting the environment as well as our lifestyles- emphasizing the importance of resource conservation.
Photo: Jerry Moorman
Population Study: Modesto
In October of 1870, a small place called Modesto was founded as a San Joaquin Valley mining town. The streets and structure of Modesto were oriented parallel to the current Union Pacific Railroad. After the need for structure and government became evident, the City of Modesto was incorporated on August 6, 1884. Consequently, other civic organizations were established in Modesto, which carried its first electric lights and water and sewer system in the early 1890s.
In the early 20th century, Modesto's population nearly doubled during the increase in irrigated farming and agriculture, leading to the adaptation of the mayor-council structure and businesses expanding rapidly. Modesto later prospered during the Great Depression, had a labor shortage during World War II, and experienced rapid growth after the war ended.
Modesto Population Demographics | U.S. Census 2020
Today, Modesto's population is majorly urban (91.8%) and 8.2% rural. 27.1% of residents are under 18 and 14.7% are over 65. Additionally, the average age in Modesto is 35 and the population density is 5,058 per square mile. Although restrictive housing policies led to discrimination during the 1930s and 1940s, in recent years, housing has been done with affordable prices, diversity, and minimal gentrification in mind. The median household income is $73,375 and the employment rate is 67.4% - about 70% of Modesto citizens are private company employees.
Modesto Household Income at Age 35 | The Opportunity Atlas (left), Modesto Healthy Places Index | Healthy Places Index (right)
Unfortunately, many buildings in Modesto are at increased risk of fires, drought, and flooding- ranging from 40-63% of buildings. Moreover, the increasing population has caused an excessive demand for housing, leading to issues with homelessness and higher poverty levels in certain areas.
These inequalities shown in data trends and maps are a result of social and racial injustices, causing resource availability to fluctuate between communities throughout Modesto. Confronting the issue of environmental equity requires offices and governments to offer accessible solutions and workforce opportunities with equal distribution of resources. To achieve environmental equity, first diversity and inclusion must be prioritized by citizens and changes must be made.
With a variety of socioeconomic and environmental concerns to address, Modesto's City Council has created a General Impact Plan and Environmental Report to offer solutions and pave the way for a sustainable future.
Household Energy & Water Usage
Over two weeks, I recorded my energy and water use. The electrical appliances were recorded based on the hours of use, while the water-focused activities were based on each usage. During this period, I realized I was using excessive amounts of both energy and water every day. Seeing my records for resource usage and consumption helped me pinpoint areas where I could conserve and improve efficiency. For example, instead of washing dishes by hand, which takes around 20 gallons of water, I could run a full dishwasher and only use 4 gallons of water.
Household Energy and Water Usage Graphs
Comparing my results to the average California household resource usage, I found that my water usage rate was particularly high, so I researched easy ways to save water and energy usage at home.
Ways to Conserve Resources
Here are some household-friendly ways to save energy:
- Use natural sources of light.
- Turn off devices when not in use.
- Replace old appliances with new efficient ones.
- Use smart, energy-efficient power strips.
- Switch to LED lights.
Here are ways to save water at home:
- Take shorter showers.
- Fix leaks in faucets, toilets, or pipes.
- Use full dishwasher loads.
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth.
- Reuse grey water on plants and gardens.
Energy Analysis: Powerville
Powerville Unified School District
Powerville Unified School District Energy Graphs
The graphs above depict the energy usage of the Powerville Unified School District. In each graph, the trend is similar: low points during January, April, and November, while there are peaks during March, July, and December. It is important to recognize that the change in energy usage comes with the change in seasons. In July, for example, normally the electricity consumption peaks because of the high demand for energy usage in the summer: running indoor devices when the weather is warm, using air conditioning, and other activities.
The electricity bill makes up a higher percentage of the total energy cost.
However, the district information states that all schools are closed during July and August, which are the top two energy consumers. For that reason, the energy usage during those two months is inefficient and unnecessary. The Powerville Unified School District could implement changes into its annual plan, such as: programming air conditioning and heating systems to correlate with the summer break, checking for open windows, leaks, or cracks before leaving in June, and scheduling the sprinklers/water-based appliances accordingly during the hot summer months. Including these changes in their plan would not only conserve resources but save money and effort as well.
Powerville High School
Powerville High School Energy Graphs
Extremely similar to the Powerville Unified School District, these graphs demonstrate the energy usage for Powerville High School. The trends shown are the same as the entire district, therefore the action plan must be made district-wide and accessible for all schools, taking into account the most efficient months: January, April, and November, and using those as a guideline for the more inefficient months.
Similar to the district graphs, the electricity bill is shown to be much higher than the gas bill.
A Career In Energy
One energy-based career I found interesting was the role of Program Manager at The Energy Coalition. This position is held by Amy Whitehouse and during her Energy Career Webinar, she stated multiple aspects of her job that were intriguing to me as well as skills I would enjoy improving upon.
The position of Program Manager requires one to engage others in energy-efficient programs while using behavioral science and psychology to help motivate other to be more sustainable.
Ms. Whitehouse mentioned that she double-majored in environmental studies and sociology, and had a background in outdoor recreation as well as environmental journalism. She also stated that her organization and outlining skills in Google Docs were useful in her job, along with patience, communication, and learning new things- through books or any available means.
I believe this job is a suitable fit for those looking towards the energy sector, who have good communication, social skills, and the motivation to work with others and in nature.