Researchers from Arizona State University seek to understand the reasons for people choosing whether or not to participate in grass-removal programs. The project focuses on the programs in Scottsdale.
Arizona municipalities implement the programs to reduce water consumption. According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, landscaping uses as much as 70% of residential water.
The goal of the study is to find personal or societal circumstances and factors that can be used to motivate people to participate in more sustainable practices for conserving water.
ASU assistant professor Stylianos Syropoulos says the programs are voluntary.
“Adapting to the changing climate and ensuring that we are able to conserve water effectively requires local governments to take action, but a lot of the time, the properties that need to adapt are private," he said.
