Navigating the Water Crisis in the West: Insights from Experts at the Climate Change Preparedness Conference

The water crisis facing the western United States was a central topic of discussion during a panel at the Climate Change Preparedness Conference held at Westgate Las Vegas. George Rhee, a physics professor at UNLV, emphasized the importance of water in the desert, stating that it is more valuable than gasoline.

The panel highlighted the ongoing drought affecting the Colorado River, which supplies drinking water to 40 million people in seven states and Mexico. Marco Velotta, chief sustainability officer for the city of Las Vegas, discussed the city’s efforts to conserve water in the face of the prolonged drought. Measures such as banning evaporative cooling systems and leveraging federal funding for urban forestry grants have helped the city save water and combat the urban heat island effect.

Velotta also provided updates on the water levels at Lake Mead, emphasizing the importance of adjusting water usage to prevent hitting dead pool levels. Nicole Alderete-Ferrini, climate and sustainability officer for the city of El Paso, Texas, highlighted the challenges of water affordability in the region, while Fred Jung, mayor pro tem for the city of Fullerton, Calif., called for increased collaboration among states to address water usage issues.

Overall, the panel stressed the importance of long-term planning and collaboration to ensure sustainable water usage in the face of a changing climate. With cities like Las Vegas working towards ambitious water conservation goals, it is clear that proactive measures are essential to addressing the water crisis in the West.