Utah youth hold die-in for the GSL
Despite record breaking heat, yesterday Utah Youth Environmental Solutions Network, or UYES, organized a “die-in” event at the Great Salt Lake.
“The assembly of around 100 youth and their supporters sang and read poetry about Utah’s charismatic terminal lake, which hit another record low elevation this year and continues to shrink. They gave stirring speeches about climate change, polluting industries and a lack of action from their elected leaders. They walked in a somber procession along the lake’s vast exposed bed near its southern shore. They lay at the base of a cardboard graveyard made to mourn Great Salt Lake, which sits at the brink of collapse” a Salt Lake Tribune article covering the event writes.
We hope the Utah legislature is listening to this powerful display by Utah youth on one of the biggest threats facing us. As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, a lakebed that contains heavy metals, most notably arsenic, is exposed and blows across the Wasatch Front. The dust alone causes health issues for local residents. Adding toxic chemicals to the mix makes the situation dire.
The GSL in 2016. 
The GSL in 1984.
Increased development along the Wasatch Front, and agriculture (mainly growing alfalfa) are two areas where directing water conservation efforts would have the biggest impact.
“I died from arsenic poisoning,” read one mock tombstone.
“Utah values alfalfa over my life,” read another.
“Utah government didn’t protect me,” read another.
We applaud the group UYES for calling out Utah’s policy makers, not only for their abuse of the lake, but their ongoing, head in the sand (literally) approach to addressing the climate crisis.