Here in Utah, we have seen firsthand how environmental instability can affect our economy and way of life. Our ski industry has endured delayed season openings, wildfires have threatened homes in our rural communities, and inversion continues to affect our air quality along the Wasatch front. Perhaps no one has suffered more than farmers, who have been forced to operate with a miniscule fraction of their normal water allotment, oftentimes being forced to choose which crops to save and which to let die.
For these reasons, I’m grateful to Rep. John Curtis for introducing the recent National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act. This bipartisan bill will improve the U.S.’ ability to respond to these environmental impacts. Instead of the current and inefficient process that silos government agencies and lacks collaboration, this new proposal will increase coordination and save taxpayer dollars. All told, this will help better protect Utahns, especially communities on the frontlines of natural disasters and other climate effects.
As the state chair of Utah Young Republicans, I know personally how important this topic is to millennials and Gen Z. That’s why I so appreciate Rep. Curtis’ focus on identifying and proposing specific climate solutions. If this new legislation is paired with other needed measures — especially the expansion of nuclear energy, investment in innovations that remove emissions from our atmosphere, and border-adjusted carbon pricing — we can protect the state we’re blessed to call home.
Mackey Smith, Salt Lake City
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