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SALT LAKE CITY — There's been a push for developers and cities to make new buildings more climate-efficient and sustainable, yet historic and older buildings continue to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy used in existing homes and buildings contributes up to 40% of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
Instead of ignoring old buildings, as part of the climate solution, emissions can be decreased by renovating older building stock to be more energy efficient. Utah Clean Energy has selected a 70-year-old building to serve as its new Climate Innovation Center.
The organization unveiled plans for the center, located at 215 S. 400 East, in downtown Salt Lake City, with the over-70-year-old building looming in the background on Tuesday.
"This is an incredible milestone in Utah Clean Energy's mission to lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation," said Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy's founder and executive director. "This building will be so much more than an office. It will be a hub for climate solutions and a showcase project demonstrating how to build and renovate climate-friendly buildings."
The center is intended to exist as a "living laboratory" to help community members and local businesses access tools for renovating buildings to help address the climate.
Utah Clean Energy staff, board members and committee members attended the unveiling. Among others was Greg Miller, the vice chairman of the Larry H. Miller Company board of directors and honorary co-chairman with Utah Clean Energy.
"I believe that there is no greater challenge we face today than our warming planet — caused by the burning of fossil fuels — reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is a priority. I know that it can be done if we work together," said Miller. "There are opportunities in all sectors of our economy to act now and act boldly to not only reduce emissions but create economic opportunities and improve the quality of lives for us, our children and our children's children."
Climate issues are among the top causes both Utahns and Americans worry about, according to a survey done by Utah Clean Energy.
People wonder why the young generation is so intent on saving the planet? It's because it's our future.
–Rodrigo Fernandez Esquivias, student climate activist
The survey found that Utahns listed the drought and air quality as second in priority, with affordable housing coming in first. The broader population of the United States ranked inflation first and the climate, second.
Other businesses in Utah are working to retrofit their buildings for more net-zero carbon emissions. Among those is Zions Bank, which is working to retrofit a 100-year-old building in Vernal, said Scott Anderson, president at Zions Bank.
"This building can be a teaching center for many generations to come and in the inspiration for what we can do together to protect our climate and our environment," said Anderson.
With the future in mind, attendees contributed their hopes in a time capsule to be opened in 20 years. Climate activist and high school student, 16-year-old Rodrigo Fernandez Esquivias, said the hopes he has for the future are tainted by the climate crisis.
"People wonder why the young generation is so intent on saving the planet? It's because it's our future," Esquivias said. "We want to vote for those who share our values, not those who cast them aside. Like anyone my age, I'm making plans about college, I'm planning my future. I'm thinking about what I'm going to do with my life.
"But all of that is tainted with whether or not we will be able to provide the necessary changes to secure a healthy planet. To leaders everywhere — both nationally and locally — we are looking to you to protect our futures."
