Opinion: Finding hope in Utah’s climate future

In the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, on the east side of Salt Lake City, there’s a place that gives me — and anybody who visits it — hope.

It’s not a mountain or a stunning vista; it’s a museum exhibit. And unlike most exhibits, it doesn’t focus on the past, but rather on the future.

The Natural History Museum of Utah’s exhibit “A Climate of Hope” explores the profound impact climate change is already having on Utah. It acknowledges the anxiety and fear we experience as we deal with heat waves, intense storms, wildfires and droughts — and the uncertainty we have for our future.

But rather than invoking despair and dread, the exhibit’s message is literally in its name, and the same message I bring to audiences around the world: there is hope for the future.

This hope comes from action, but we must first choose to act.

This week, I’ll be sharing that same message as the keynote speaker at the Conservative Climate Summit.

Now in its third year, the summit — founded by Utah U.S. Rep. John Curtis — convenes lawmakers, scientists, policy advocates and everyday citizens to “explore conservative solutions for energy, economy, and agriculture to strengthen our national security.”

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