Utah ranks among worst in the world in this critical climate change metric
Utah ranks among the worst in the world in carbon footprint generated per capita. The state ranks 19th in the country. On average, each person in Utah generates more than 18 tons of carbon dioxide annually. That’s more than Saudi Arabia. If Utah were a country, it would rank sixth on that list, between the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Those higher on the list were all heavy petroleum producers, including the Persian Gulf states, Australia and Canada. The worldwide average that year was 4.29 tons per person. The average American generates just over 13 tons of carbon per person.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere warms the planet, causing climate change. Human activities have raised the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide content by 50% in less than 200 years, according to NASA.
There are three main drivers of Utahns’ carbon footprint.
1. Dependency on coal for generating electricity,
2. Lack of mass transit, and
3. Love affair with large vehicles.
Carbon dioxide emissions, largely from transportation, contribute significantly to Utah’s greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change impacts. From diminishing snowpacks to increasing wildfires and water scarcity, Utah faces tangible consequences of a changing climate. By prioritizing public transportation enhancements, Utah can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, mitigating the severity of climate change impacts on its communities, natural resources, and economy.
By enhancing bus and rail networks, implementing electric vehicle fleets, and incentivizing public transit use, Utah can curb emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and foster sustainable mobility.
“Data from the nonprofit Yale Climate Connections shows that Utah is last among its neighbors, getting only 11% of its power from renewables. Even Wyoming had 22%, largely due to the wind energy that has been captured there.”
Utah must do better, and we must start electing a legislature that accepts the reality and the danger of the climate crisis.