Growing up in Idaho, I always dreamed of moving to Utah. The mountains, the red rocks and the lively outdoor culture felt like the perfect place to build my future. I’ve now been a Utah resident for four years and I have found many reasons to love Utah, but I’ve also seen firsthand how climate change is threatening the very landscapes that drew me here in the first place. It’s changing the way I think about my future, the choices I make and whether Utah will be a place where I can stay long-term.
Utah is getting hotter, fast. Between 1970 and 2023, fall temperatures in Utah’s Weber and Davis counties rose by 4.5°F , with nearly all counties experiencing at least a 3°F increase. Salt Lake City recorded its hottest October on record in 2024, averaging 66.2°F — almost 10 degrees above normal. The heat of the summer is uncomfortable and long for residents, but the real cost is the lengthy forest fire season that increases respiratory issues for people like me who love spending time outdoors. Not only do the grey skies prevent me from spending time outside, but the dreary scenery is also a heavy mental reminder that our world is drastically changing.
The Great Salt Lake is a defining feature of Utah’s ecosystem and has experienced significant fluctuations in its surface area. In 1986, the lake covered approximately 2,300 square miles, but by July 2022, it had shrunk to a historic low elevation . This isn’t just an environmental crisis — it’s a public health risk. As the lakebed dries up, it releases toxic dust into the air, increasing risks of respiratory diseases…