Hundreds traveled, some over a thousand miles, to hear U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell speak at the 5th Annual Sustainability Summit hosted at Weber State University on March 6 and 7.
For two days, workshops, demonstrations and student research were presented to highlight the unique challenges of living in the Rocky Mountains and possible solutions to problems such as air quality, land development and renewable energy.
However, the highlight of the two-day event came Thursday morning when keynote speaker, Secretary Jewell, spoke to a captivated audience that included college students, environmentalists, community leaders and policy makers about the specific environment and land issues facing Utah.
Jewell noted that Utah’s landscape presented a unique challenge since its valleys are a natural collecting point for pollution. Even with stricter emissions regulations, more legislation and awareness campaigns, air quality would still be a big issue, just as it was a couple hundred years ago when the first settlers came to Utah.
Jewell challenged everyone who attended the keynote address to also look for ways that they can help make a difference. There is “no higher calling that public service,” Jewell said. It is a great “opportunity to make a difference.” However, one doesn’t have to be an elected official in order to make small changes that have a big impact on Utah’s environment.
Some ideas that were presented to encourage clean practices include: starting work recycling programs; more green construction; walking, biking or commuting to work or school; and even neighborhood cleanups. Secretary Jewell said, “You have a lot here to enjoy, preserve, protect, and celebrate.”
