facebook-pixel

Letter: Address climate change from ‘The Far Middle’

(Sarah Zimmerman | AP file photo) Protesters flood the steps of the Oregon State Capitol on June 25, 2019, to push back against a Republican walkout over a climate change bill.

(Sarah Zimmerman | AP file photo) Protesters flood the steps of the Oregon State Capitol on June 25, 2019, to push back against a Republican walkout over a climate change bill.

Print and social media widely reported Robert Mueller’s testimony, but they barely mentioned a hearing that may be of much greater significance.

On July 25, three Republicans testified before the Senate Democratic Special Committee on the Climate Crisis in a hearing called “The Right Thing To Do: Republicans for Climate Action.”

Nick Huey, a recent Brigham Young University graduate, testified along with Republican pollster Frank Luntz and Harvard student and vice president of Students for Carbon Dividends, Kiera O’Brien, all making pleas for bipartisan leadership on climate.

Huey called on lawmakers to jettison the far left and far right and embrace “The Far Middle.” He said, “We may be from different parties, but we’re from the same planet.”

Utahns must be part of the solution, as effective action will need to occur at multiple levels of society. Right now the federal government can take the biggest step. Congress has the ability to create policy that will trickle down to every American and trickle out to every country.

Utah can lead from the Far Middle on climate. I call on Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams and his Republican colleagues, Reps. Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart and John Curtis to work together in a model of climate collaboration.

David Folland, M.D, Sandy

Steering Committee Member, Citizens Climate Lobby SLC Chapter

Submit a letter to the editor

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.