Sustainability
Sustainability indicators include metrics associated with climate, land use, energy, and air and water quality. They embody the idea that people and businesses increasingly value environmental amenities and consider them in making economic decisions. The essence of sustainability is hard-to-define but includes important concepts such as livability and quality of life-shorthand for the interrelated factors that shape peoples' day-to-day experiences and commitment to Phoenix and Arizona. Sustainability also implies using our land, water, energy, and atmosphere in a way that protects the quality of life, livability, and prosperity of future generations and provides for an equitable distribution across different segments of society. Climate indicators incorporate the urban heat island, energy demand through the use of heating and cooling, and human comfort. Land use indicators account for open space, residential lot sizes, and proximity to public transit that affect opportunities for recreation, biodiversity, transportation options, and access to goods and services and jobs. Energy indicators measure the use of alternative forms of energy use that reduce reliance on faraway resources and lessen the financial burden of energy costs. Air and water quality indicators measure levels of environmental contaminants that present human health risks.
