The collusion of hotter temperatures, persistent drought and unrestrained population growth is contributing to the loss of our most iconic landmark, the Great Salt Lake. Beyond the devastating and frankly terrifying implications for the ecology and economy of our state, we are headed toward an environmental justice issue of historic proportions in the west.
Diminishing water levels have exposed over 1600 square miles of lakebed contaminated with carcinogenic metals such as arsenic, mercury and selenium. The resulting air pollution, which has the potential to be deadly, is worsening as the lake shrinks and more toxic dust mixes freely with the air we breathe. The climate politics of the state ignore the fact that vulnerable populations have little in the way of recourse as the climate warms, extreme weather increases and our air quality diminishes. While more affluent residents can seek refuge in wind blocked, air conditioned, air filtered environments, our state’s unhoused are left to bear the worst of the situation that they did little to contribute to. As the inevitable effects on our quality of life become more evident, those who can afford to buy their way out will move, while those who are low income will be forced to stay and pay with their health.
Gov. Spencer Cox signed 11 water conservation-related bills aimed at incentivizing sustainable water usage, but not requiring it. Current policy reflects a hesitancy to hinder development while lacking a clear plan for how a dwindling water supply might be shared among a booming population. We continue to expand in the face of an irrevocable threat to life in this city as we know it and our unsheltered and low-income residents will suffer disproportionately. We need stronger policies requiring immediate action from agriculture, industry, municipalities and individuals alike.
Kristina Sandi, Salt Lake City
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/BK3sNaW
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