Community leaders announced a new coalition Wednesday to deal with climate change. The Utah Climate Action Network is focused on mainstreaming the reality of climate change, avoiding the risks it poses and sharing practical solutions to its impacts.
Susan Soleil, leader of the advocacy group, Utah Interfaith Power and Light, says faiths around the world are embracing the need for action.
“It is a social and moral issue that is tied to all of Creation,” she said, “and people of faith get that.”
The network includes 20 organizations in local government, higher education, advocacy groups, ski areas and federal agencies. But founding network members want the discussion to expand. Onno Wieringa is general manager of the Alta Ski Area.
“We want to be part of this group as one more source of sharing best practices, learning and being part of efforts that maybe make a little bigger change,” he said.
The network made its public debut a two-day conference on how the changing climate can be expected to affect health.