To ensure a sustainable future, the City of Palm Springs must protect the assets that make it a great place to live, work, and recreate. The Sustainability Plan is our roadmap to protect the surrounding natural environment, the people who make the city vibrant, attractive, and active, and our increasingly diverse economy. This graphic provides an overview of the Sustainability Plan and how each focus area supports a healthier, more sustainable Palm Springs.
Goal: Palm Springs is resilient and carbon neutral.
Climate change presents a significant opportunity and risk to community health. More extreme weather events, worsened air quality, and increased transmission of infectious disease may negatively affect human health, behaviors, and the socio‐economic factors that influence health outcomes.
Goal: Palm Springs is a high efficiency, renewable energy city.
Promoting energy efficient building and facilities and renewable energy will provide many health co-benefits to residents and business owners in Palm Springs. Improving ventilation, sealing drafty leaks, and other residential efficiency upgrades improve indoor air quality by reducing exposure to outdoor allergens and harmful air pollutants.
Goal: Palm Springs is a leader in water efficiency and reuse.
Maintaining an adequate water supply is a basic necessity for health of individuals and communities. Promoting conservation programs and supporting water infrastructure improvements to expand water reuse and recycling helps insure that tap water remains healthy for human consumption and prevents consumers from having to purchase bottled water.
Goal: Palm Springs is a healthier, more food-secure community that supports community-based agriculture.
Promoting and supporting a local food system that connects producers with consumers can create more equitable healthy food access. Farmers markets, community programs, and support for resident gardening enable this.
Goal: Palm Springs is a center for clean tech, renewable energy, and innovation.
Promoting the growth of green businesses will provide many health co-benefits to business owners and the community in Palm Springs.
Goal: Palm Springs is a City of vibrant and livable neighborhoods.
The way our neighborhoods, streets, and homes are designed affects whether children can play outside and walk to school, whether families can access basic goods and services, and even whether neighbors can socialize and look out for one another.
Goal: Palm Springs citizens and all sectors of our community are engaged in an active, life-long process of becoming aware of and making choices to achieve one’s potential and optimal well-being in life.
Sustainability and health are closely linked. In fact, many definitions of health refer to sustainability, and many definitions of sustainability also refer to health.
Goal: Palm Springs is a leader in sustainable transportation.
How much we move is directly linked to our health. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults and that children and adolescents should do an hour or more of age-appropriate physical activity per day.
Goal: Palm Springs is a zero waste community.
Reducing the City’s overall waste stream can provide many health and equity co-benefits to residents and business owners in Palm Springs. Recycling and composting programs can result in a significant diversion of waste from landfills, which reduces the City’s need to expand or create new landfills.
Receive news and announcements from Palm Springs straight to your inbox
Palm Springs Stewardship & Sustainability - Visit Palm Springs
