Cache Valley residents advocate for climate change action at local event
Guests overflowed onto the floor of the Tippets Gallery at Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts Monday night for the Climate Change Town Hall, the inaugural event of Utah Climate Week 2018. A night of appeals and stories from students, faculty and Cache Valley residents, with the focus of recognizing climate change and offering individual solutions and support for local activism.
“You don’t have to be an expert,” said Lorenzo Long, a student at Utah State University. “You just have to do what you can.”
The town hall was organized by the Student Organization for Society and Natural Resources in collaboration with Utah Climate Action Network as a part of Utah Climate Week 2018, which runs from Oct. 1-7. More than 30 events are planned across the state over the next week.
After introductory remarks by SOSNR President Casey Trout and physics professor and climate researcher Rob Davies, the audience was invited to share their own stories of environmental change and activism. Speakers included Logan City Councilman Herm Olsen, activist Will Munger, and members of the Fry Street Quartet.
Olsen spoke briefly to the audience, connecting wider problems in the world’s climate to the local community. “I’m anxious that Logan City both recognize and do its part to address climate change here,” he said.
Students and faculty took turns speaking to the group about personal experiences and dozens of ways to participate in climate advocacy, ranging from larger projects like solar panel installation, plastic bag bans and LED replacements, to small-scale action like sending emails, buying smaller houses and commuting less.
“Passive environmentalism [isn’t] enough anymore,” said Brenda Hawley, a sustainability fellow.
Moderating the conversation, Davies encouraged brainstorming possible solutions to climate change and an acknowledgment of the power of an individual in affecting change in the world.
“Stories connect us to things that otherwise seem abstract,” Davies said. “This kind of sharing is just tremendously powerful.”
A recent analysis from the Trump administration concluded the Earth’s temperature would reach 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100—a catastrophic point that would likely lead to extinction-level events.
Davies encouraged action in the face of overwhelming odds. “Often we’re paralyzed, we’re passive because we don’t see the whole path to the finish line,” he said.
Davies spoke again Tuesday night in Salt Lake City to officially start the Climate Week for the wider state.
Per UCAN’s website, Utah Climate Week is intended to “inspire events and conversation around climate change issues in Utah” with a focus on engaging with residents and encouraging community participation to tackle issues facing the state today.
Monday’s town hall was the only planned event at USU for this year’s Climate Week, but events will continue through Sunday around the state. The full schedule can be found at https://www.utahclimateactionnetwork.com/climateweek.html.