U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
A - Z Index:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#
Environmental Sustainability

LATEST GREEN TIP

03-05-2013
Did you know? Artificial lighting accounts for 20-50% of the electricity use in office buildings. Making green choices when it comes to lighting not only provides energy efficiency and savings, it also adds to the comfort and ambience of your workplace. Replace regular incandescent bulbs and fixtures to energy efficient light bulbs (i.e. Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent lights) - even in the lamps on your desk. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are more expensive than regular bulbs, but use 60-80% less energy, last much longer (5,000-14,000 hours longer), and cast a warmer, soft white glow. Use task lighting. Install dimmers and timers to extend bulb life. Make sure to turn off the lights when leaving any room for 15 minutes or more. Use natural daylight when possible. It's free and has been proven to improve worker productivity, plus your daily dose of Vitamin D!Zoom In
See the Light
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Inherently tied to this mission is our obligation to promote healthy American Indian and Alaska Native communities and our responsibility to ensure the well-being of the environment we work in, both indoors and outdoors.

To address this need for healthy and sustainable practices, IHS strives to not only meet all federal requirements but also to be forward-acting on all environmental efforts.

To minimize our impact on the environment, IHS staff, contractors, and suppliers try to ensure that environmental considerations are introduced at the earliest stages possible when planning and implementing agency operations. This website provides information on what IHS is doing as an agency, and what you as an individual can do for sustainability. In addition, it provides resources, trainings, and events to help further inform everyone about sustainability.

Check out IHS achievements: 2011 Sustainability Annual Progress Report [PDF - 1.4MB]

Want to know more about sustainability and IHS initiatives? Sign up here to receive notices.

See upcoming events at IHS on the Event Calendar and sign-up for IHS trainings at the Training Center

Explore a Sustainability Topic