In a session resonating with nature’s soundtrack, Utah Senator John Curtis embarked on a dialogue addressing the human impact on climate change. The event, titled “Bringing people together for constructive conversation about climate change,” took place at Utah Valley University, drawing attention from various stakeholders.
Representing the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, Søren Simonsen underscored the role of faith in shaping his environmental consciousness. He highlighted the imminent threat coastal cities face from rising sea levels, emphasizing the wider impacts of global warming on agriculture and wildfire frequency. Simonsen urged Curtis to persist in advocating for reduced methane emissions.
The discussion was backed by organizations like Utah Clean Energy and Citizens’ Climate Lobby, with notable attendees including former Governor Gary Herbert.
Sen. Curtis on His Climate Change Journey
Senator Curtis shared gratitude for the audience’s patience, reflecting on his evolving understanding of climate issues. “If it’s a journey for me, it could be a journey for other people. And we shouldn’t lose hope or confidence in people who aren’t where we are and where we want them to be,” Curtis stated.
In 2021, Curtis initiated the Conservative Climate Caucus to align climate policies with conservative values. His faith in a higher power instilled a sense of reverence for Earth, prompting his activism. Reflecting on past town halls, Curtis acknowledged his initial skepticism towards climate change, a perspective that evolved as he engaged with industry experts who affirmed human influence on climate.
“We started to experiment with actually saying, ‘Yes,’” Curtis revealed, embracing the notion of human impact on climate without needing to quantify it precisely. His simple actions, such as switching to LED light bulbs, were met with laughter, highlighting the practical steps individuals can take.
Executive Orders and Legislative Stability
Addressing the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas regulation rollback, Curtis expressed uncertainty about future actions. He stressed the temporary nature of executive decisions, advocating for bipartisan legislative approaches to ensure lasting impact. Curtis cited his involvement in bills like the Fix Our Forest Act to emphasize the need for cooperative governance.
Critique of Government Efficiency
When questioned about federal research funding cuts, Curtis addressed fiscal concerns, referencing the national debt. Drawing from his tenure as mayor of Provo, where he successfully reduced the budget while boosting morale, Curtis criticized the Department of Government Efficiency’s approach, suggesting it led to costly inefficiencies.
Original Story at www.deseret.com