As we look forward to celebrating Earth Week, April 19-24 for the 49th time, we see that Mother Nature has not been in a celebratory mood; early season tornadoes, polar temperatures in Texas and, here in Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency due to drought conditions. He wants us to slow the flow by turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, and consider taking advantage of a $100 Utah rebate by installing a water wise toilet.
As to our air quality, there are many things that affect its breathability including drought conditions that dry up our lakes and streams leaving behind the toxic dust that enters our air on windy days.
Our climate needs help! Being a nation rich in civic spirit we can do our part to create safe and healthy communities for our families. First, we need to talk about climate; to educate ourselves about climate damage and solutions that already exist. We have an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with those who are on the front lines of tangible environmental issues by attending the Wasatch Back Virtual Town Hall on March 29 at 6 p.m. An engaging dialogue about our Utah climate and air quality will be provided by panel participants, Reps. Mike Kohler and Kira Birkeland, Mayors Celeste Johnson and Kelleen Potter and BYU Professor Ben Abbott.
Take this opportunity to plan for Earth Day. Ask the panel about the unique ways in which we can work together at a local level and a national level to build on climate action. Maybe it is working to quickly fix water leaks or urging your members of Congress to pass carbon fee and dividend legislation or maybe it will be an action discussed in the town hall.
Let’s honor our common home by making sure that climate consciousness is part of our planning and actions—not just an afterthought!
Karen Jackson, Salt Lake City