Powering Change: A Path to Sustainability

During my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of the significant amount of water and energy waste occurring globally. As part of my work, I conducted a two-week audit of my household's water and electricity usage. The graph below illustrates my home's consumption compared to the average household in California.

Outlined below are the changes I plan to incorporate into my daily routine. I believe that implementing these adjustments will make a meaningful difference.

By following these 10 steps, I aim to reduce water and electricity usage—not just for myself, but for my entire family. Small changes like these can help us move toward a more sustainable lifestyle and inspire others to take action in their own homes.

Understanding the racial and ethnic makeup of Orange County is key to building sustainability initiatives that are inclusive and equitable. Different communities often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing resources, education, and infrastructure, which can affect their ability to participate in sustainable practices. For instance, marginalized groups may disproportionately experience environmental issues, such as greater exposure to pollution or a lack of green spaces. By identifying who makes up the region’s population, policymakers and organizations can better design sustainability programs—like renewable energy projects, community gardens, or improved public transportation—that serve all groups fairly. This kind of targeted approach helps advance environmental justice, a critical part of building a sustainable future.

Looking at Orange County’s age distribution can reveal how sustainability efforts might need to adapt to serve different generations. For example, a large number of residents under 18 underscores the importance of youth education and engagement in sustainability, as today’s younger generations will lead tomorrow’s environmental efforts. On the other hand, a growing senior population highlights the need for age-friendly solutions, like walkable neighborhoods, accessible healthcare, and sustainable housing. By taking age demographics into account, we can design sustainability programs that are both inclusive and forward-thinking—meeting the needs of all ages while ensuring a resilient future for the community.

Understanding the voting-age population is essential for promoting sustainability because it highlights the communities and individuals who have the power to influence policies, initiatives, and investments that shape our environment, local resources, and future development. The decisions made by elected officials and policymakers often determine the trajectory of sustainable efforts—whether it’s prioritizing renewable energy, protecting green spaces, implementing waste reduction programs, or promoting equitable access to clean water and air.

Understanding the distribution of the underage population is vital for building a sustainable future, as children and youth represent the next generation of leaders, innovators, and caretakers of our planet. By analyzing where younger populations are concentrated, communities can plan for investments in education, parks, public transportation, and other resources that support both their development and environmental sustainability.

Focusing on the needs of younger generations ensures that they grow up in environments that encourage sustainable habits, such as recycling, energy conservation, and responsible resource use.

As part of the internship, we were tasked with analyzing various high schools and middle schools within the Powerville School District. Below is my comparison.

Based on the graphs, it is clear that the least energy-efficient site in the district is Steven Sparker High School. This campus incurs an annual energy cost of $10,225.35, which is among the highest in the district. Given that this high school is the largest, with a student population of 5,102, its significant energy consumption is understandable.

In contrast, the most energy-efficient site within PUSD is Powerville Middle School, which maintains an annual energy cost of $2,396.45. With a student population of 2,735, Powerville Middle School stands out as one of the most sustainable schools in the district. To maintain its efficiency, it is recommended that the school continue implementing its current energy-saving practices.

For Steven Sparker High School, however, there is a clear need for targeted projects to reduce energy costs. A practical first step would be replacing all existing light bulbs with LED alternatives. This cost-effective measure alone could result in an estimated 8% monthly reduction in energy usage for the building. Addressing lighting efficiency is a crucial starting point, as it will help mitigate costs and establish a foundation for further energy-saving initiatives.

To help the district reduce overall energy costs, it is important to implement targeted programs focused on improving building efficiency. A key priority should be upgrading chillers and boilers across facilities. While this option requires a significant upfront investment, it has the potential to achieve a 10% monthly reduction in energy usage for each building. Over time, this would lead to substantial savings and improved sustainability.

The pie chart illustrates the distribution of energy costs throughout the year. As expected, energy usage peaks during the summer months—June, July, and August—when cooling systems are in high demand. Following this, there is a noticeable decline in energy costs during the fall months. However, usage begins to rise again in December and February, primarily due to increased heating needs during the colder winter season.

Environmental engineers focus on creating sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, such as water and air pollution, waste management, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. They combine principles of engineering, biology, chemistry, and geology to improve environmental quality and promote sustainability

Many environmental engineers specialize in water resources, designing and managing systems for water supply, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. They work to ensure communities have access to clean drinking water, reduce water waste, and protect aquatic ecosystems.

An environmental engineer working for a city government recently designed an advanced wastewater treatment plant that reclaims over 80% of treated water for irrigation and industrial use. This project not only reduces freshwater demand but also prevents polluted water from being discharged into nearby rivers, helping preserve local ecosystems.

With increasing water scarcity, environmental engineers play a critical role in conserving this vital resource. Their work ensures sustainable water use, minimizes environmental impact, and helps communities adapt to climate change challenges.

Environmental engineers split their time between office settings (for data analysis and project design), labs (for testing water samples), and fieldwork (overseeing project implementation). Key skills include problem-solving, project management, and knowledge of environmental regulations.