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SALT LAKE CITY — Most Earth Day celebrations in Utah involve rousing speeches, tree plantings, and other activities that generally aren't possible this year as the state grapples with COVID-19.
But in a webinar hosted by Ruth Todd and the Utah Sustainable Business Coalition, a parade of business and government leaders, including Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, marked the day by discussing Utah's challenges and opportunities around clean air, the climate and the virus.
Cox said Utah's natural beauty makes it especially attuned to environmental concerns and that natural wonders like Delicate Arch make him "feel the grandeur of the greatness of a Creator and this incredible world we live in."
"But I think we would be remiss to remove the people from that equation," Cox said. "It's the people that makes this Earth so special."
Posted by Utah Business on Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Cox said the only way for future generations to enjoy the same beauty and quality of life Utahns have is through "the sustainability efforts of the people on this call."
"We have to make sure that we clean up our air, that our water resources are available for future generations ... that we grow in a responsible way, so that our kids can have not just jobs for the future, but can have an Earth that is as beautiful and incredible as we have enjoyed over our lifetimes, and that we leave this place better than we found it."
"I think if this virus can teach us anything, it's that we can collectively and individually change systems," Mendenhall said after Cox signed off. "We are having an impact on systems that we didn't expect to be able to alter as quickly and dramatically as we've had to with the virus.
"I don't think anyone would have guessed we'd be doing this virtually, just even a month ago. This is really showing what an opportunity we can make of this tragedy and this crisis that we're in, to change systems that haven't worked as well for us in the past and do better in the future."
Mendenhall said she hopes businesses and governments will use the opportunity to create more sustainable habits when the economy ramps up. She said the "beautifully clear" valley air in past weeks "shows us in a really tangible way how our everyday driving decisions" impact air quality.
"We make decisions on a daily basis that impact our environment, and therefore our health," she said. "Let's use this as an opportunity to examine ourselves."
