The next step is to do something about it. There is much local government can do. The Global Cities Project has identified hundreds of local programs in the United States. Take water conservation. In 35 states, groundwater is being pumped out faster than nature can replenish it.
Water conservation saves cities money by conserving energy and reducing capital and operating costs.
It also protects the environment by reducing groundwater depletion and pollution, as well as by saving wildlife. To conserve water, the city of Denver put water meters on homes, saving an estimated 10,000 acre-feet per year. By using a computerized leak detection system, San Francisco cut water losses from 3 to 7 percent. Tucson and San Diego have shifted rate structures and San Jose has installed low-flow showerheads and toilets. The list goes on.