By Bekah Ashley
As the impacts of climate change increase, we must act quickly to ensure a just and liveable planet for future generations. Utah’s average temperature has already warmed 2 degrees, twice the national average. Hot days can be unhealthy, even dangerous. High air temperatures can cause heatstroke and dehydration, and affect people’s cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. Rising temperatures can also increase ground-level ozone, the colorless, toxic pollutant that can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma.
The Utah Sierra Club has been campaigning to reduce harmful emissions which increase climate change and impact public health. The Chapter has recently completed a successful summer campaign with the Salt Lake School District (SLCSD) to support students to pass a 100% Clean Energy Resolution. The Resolution commits the district to transition to 100% clean electricity by 2030, and a transition off gas by 2040. This means that nearly 25,000 students in Salt Lake City will be able to learn in buildings completely powered by renewable energies.
But there’s plenty more work ahead. Shortly after the Resolution passed in SLCSD, the Chapter received inquiries from students in Davis, Granite, and Park City Schools, about initiating similar clean energy campaigns. What began as a few emails has led to a student-led coalition from Park City High School, Treasure Mountain Junior High (PCSD) Skyline High School, Kearns High School (GSD) Bountiful High School, Woods Cross High Schools, and Mueller Park Junior High (DSD).
Collectively, the Resolutions could provide access to clean, renewable forms of energy to more than 140,000 students across Northern Utah. Not only does this mitigate climate impacts and improve air quality, but it saves money that can be reinvested into under-resourced classrooms and COVID-19 relief programs.
Climate change endangers the livelihood of every community in Utah, particularly the futures of young generations and the generations to come. By supporting student-led campaigns, we ensure youth are given a seat at the table in the decision making process on issues that directly impact their communities, families, and peers.
According to Montana Burack, a leader of the Students for 100% Clean Energy team in PCSD, clean energy is a way to create a better future for the earth while building a stronger community.
“Climate change is already affecting us and will affect our local, national, and global economies, not to mention our lives, in various ways,” she said. “It is obvious that clean energy is a step in the right direction, especially in one of the most local forms of government — our school districts. This campaign has made me more proud of my community and taught me how, even at 14-years-old, I can make a difference in an issue as big as climate change.”
The campaign aims to advance climate solutions and demonstrate youth power in shaping the future. As Megan Ellis, senior at Park City High School, stated, “I believe that the best place to teach the youth these values is in our school district. This clean energy campaign will help shape the school district and the city to help fill that green future. As a senior in high school, I hope that getting this clean energy campaign passed will leave the school district better than when I entered it in."