What Can I Do?

On the Sustainability website, we have compiled a wide variety of resources and rebates available for Mountain View residents. Some of the areas covered include electric vehicles, energy efficiency, renewable energy, PG&E rebates, public transit, bicycling and walking, ride-sharing and car-sharing, commuter benefit programs, and water conservation.

We have a separate page on the Sustainability website for resources and rebates available for businesses. Check out this page to learn more about opportunities for businesses related to electric vehicles, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green business programs, PG&E rebates, recycling and zero waste, transportation, and water conservation.

Do you take shorter showers? Do you garden? Do you try and avoid single-use plastics? Whatever you are doing to live more sustainably, we want to hear your story! Sharing what community members are already doing and how they’re doing it can be a source of inspiration for others to take actions in their own lives. Use the tab at the bottom of this page to submit a story, or by emailing sustainability@mountainview.gov.

Are you curious how much energy your various home appliances use? Are you aware that many electronics, such as TVs, DVRs, set-top boxes, and game consoles continually use energy, even when they are turned off? Want to investigate which are the worst offenders so you can stop these energy “leaks” and reduce your energy bill?

The Mountain View Public Library has Kill-a-Watt meters for check-out. Simply unplug an appliance in your home, plug the Kill-a-Watt meter into the outlet, and then plug the appliance into the Kill-a-Watt meter. A digital display will show you how many watts the appliance is using. Be sure to turn the appliance “on” and “off” so you can see the difference in electricity use.

For more information, search the Library Catalog for “kill-a-watt.”

Most of us know that conserving water is good because water can be scarce, and water bills can be expensive. Something you may not realize is that the water you use is also responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, since used water is sent to a treatment plant, where energy is needed to clean the water before it is discharged back into our ecosystem. On the City’s Water Conservation page, residents and businesses can find information on free landscaping classes, a water use analysis program, leak check instructions, how to read a water meter, and how to schedule a professional irrigation inspection for free. Customers who discover water leaks may also be eligible for a water credit.

Residents can find more information on water conservation rebates and programs here, and businesses can find equivalent information here.

One result of climate change is the increasing frequency of natural disasters. This means that now, more than ever, we need to be prepared for emergencies. The City’s Public Works Department offers information and resources regarding flood protection and safety tips, such as where to get sandbags, what to do before/during/after a flood, information on flood insurance, flood maps, and more. Additional information on emergency preparedness can be found here.

On Earth Day 2017, we put together a list of ten actions you can take to help move us towards a more sustainable future. Taking the Top 10 Challenge is a great way to take action and lower your carbon footprint. Mark actions you are already doing with a "X" and those you are committing to with a check mark. Don’t worry if you can’t do all of them—every step counts! We encourage you to commit to at least one additional action. Reach out to sustainability@mountainview.gov if you have any questions.