Las Vegas Is A Parasite, But We Don’t Care

The Mirage of Las Vegas: A City Draining Resources

Nestled amidst the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas stands as a glittering oasis of excess and indulgence. However, beyond the neon lights and opulent resorts lies a stark reality – Las Vegas is a city built on illusion, a mirage of prosperity fueled by unsustainable consumption, particularly of water. In the face of dwindling resources and environmental concerns, the question arises: is Las Vegas contributing enough to deserve its draining of precious resources?

What Does Vegas Contribute To The US Exactly?

Entertainment, legal gambling and prostitution, business opportunities, jobs, resorts, golf courses. Not much in the way of making the world a better place. If the world needs a Vegas, we understand… but couldn’t they pick a better spot than in the middle of the desert? The city is literally draining the life out of the Colorado River that it solely relies on, and it’s growing each day.

Vegas should be an ocean city, with a strong trade hub and tourism focus. Not this “jewel in the desert” nonsense. The location that Vegas is in now should be a small town with a couple gas stations and hotels for travelers going through the area. It shouldn’t be a huge tourist hub draining resources. That’s just bad real-estate. However, when you consider the history behind Las Vegas it makes a bit more sense.

Las Vegas, once a humble railroad town established in 1905, catapulted into prominence during the early 20th century with the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931. Its strategic location along the route between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City made it a convenient stop for travelers, but it was the allure of legalized gambling that transformed the city into a thriving entertainment hub. In the 1940s and 1950s, the construction of iconic resorts like the Flamingo, the Sands, and the Stardust propelled Las Vegas into the realm of international fame, drawing celebrities, high rollers, and tourists seeking a taste of the city’s legendary nightlife and glamour. Over the decades, Las Vegas has continually reinvented itself, evolving from its early days as a playground for mobsters and entertainers to become a global destination synonymous with luxury, entertainment, and excess.

So, basically Las Vegas was a once a railroad town that got turned into a city favored by criminals. This was because it was off the radar – just some small town that was only useful as a stop between trade hubs. It became even more appealing when the crimes these mobsters were hiding started becoming legal, most likely through mob muscle influencing the state government. All of a sudden this small town became interesting overnight. It was all downhill from there.

Once the criminals got chased out they were replaced by regular businesses. The companies that bought the hotels and casinos decided to double down and expand because they had no idea how finite the local rivers were. They probably feel like it’s too late to back out now.

However, we must remember that these are smart people with a lot of money. They could easily pool their resources together towards a project to get more water for the city, and they’ll probably find a way to profit off of it as well, or at least get help from the government to cover the cost.

This would probably come in the form of a massive desalination plant(s) that would pump ocean water into the western US. MIT recently demonstrated their new desalination process that minimizes waste and environmental impact. This new technology makes desalination much safer, and more importantly, cheaper. With this new tech, building giant desalination plants to quench America’s thirst just became a very viable possibility. Subsidizing such a project with other western states and the federal government would make something like this possible, but it would take huge amounts of money, resources, and time, all while Vegas continues to consume – like a fat tick on a hound’s ear.

Water Woes: A Precarious Balance

At the heart of Las Vegas’ sustainability challenge lies its insatiable thirst for water. Situated in one of the driest regions of the United States, the city relies heavily on the Colorado River for its water supply. However, the river itself is over-allocated, with demands exceeding its natural capacity. As a result, Las Vegas must resort to increasingly desperate measures to quench its thirst, including controversial water diversion projects and stringent conservation efforts.

The Price of Excess

Las Vegas epitomizes the epitome of excess, from its sprawling mega-casinos to its extravagant water features. The iconic Bellagio Fountains, for example, consume millions of gallons of water each year, serving as a symbol of opulence in a desert environment. Meanwhile, the city’s golf courses and lush landscaping stand in stark contrast to the arid landscape that surrounds them, raising questions about the sustainability of such extravagance in the face of finite resources.

Environmental Impact

Beyond the immediate implications for water resources, Las Vegas’ relentless expansion takes a heavy toll on the fragile desert ecosystem. The construction of sprawling resorts and residential developments contributes to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and loss. Moreover, the energy-intensive nature of the city’s entertainment industry exacerbates climate change, further straining the region’s natural resources and exacerbating environmental degradation.

A Question of Sustainability

In light of these challenges, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify the continued growth and development of Las Vegas. The city’s reliance on finite resources, particularly water, is simply unsustainable in the long term. Moreover, the environmental consequences of its unchecked expansion threaten not only the local ecosystem but also the broader global climate.

Rethinking the Mirage

As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable development, Las Vegas stands as a cautionary tale of the perils of unchecked growth and consumption. To ensure a livable future for both its residents and the planet, the city must undergo a fundamental reevaluation of its priorities and practices. This entails not only greater investment in water conservation and renewable energy but also a shift towards more sustainable models of urban development and tourism.

In conclusion, while Las Vegas may dazzle with its glitz and glamour, beneath the surface lies a city built on shaky foundations. As resources dwindle and environmental concerns mount, the mirage of prosperity fades, leaving behind the stark reality of a city in need of reinvention. Only by embracing sustainability and stewardship of the natural world can Las Vegas hope to secure its place in the desert landscape for generations to come.