Exploring Climate Change Solutions

Embracing Opportunity

Utahns are Tackling Climate Challenges with Effective Solutions

There is no single path to success when tackling a challenge as big as climate change. To succeed, we need to implement solutions on multiple fronts. That's why Utahns are taking new approaches to agriculture, architecture, city planning, public health, energy efficiency, food waste, and more. Explore some of the ways Utahns are embracing the challenges and opportunities of creating a thriving future.

Photo: Courtesy of Creative Energies

Calvary Baptist Church

The congregation of Calvary Baptist Church made energy-efficiency upgrades to their church that cut their electricity bill by $6,700 and save 158,000 kilowatts of energy each year. A small grant combined with efficiency rebate programs helped them upgrade their lighting and HVAC systems to achieve these big savings. Using energy as efficiently as possible reflects the congregation’s stewardship of the Earth as Christians.
Photo: Courtesy of Eric Larson

Beaver County Renewable Energy Corridor

Beaver County may be the only place in the world where you can stand in one spot and see four different types of renewable energy in action: solar, wind, geothermal, and biogas. Its combination of geology, climate, and existing transmission lines create huge renewable energy potential. The county is carefully developing this potential through projects compatible with its agricultural economy and development goals.
Photo: Courtesy of Dana Soho, Soho Photografx

Zions Bancorporation Technology Center

This center for innovation and collaboration sets new standards for sustainable architecture in Utah with a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and modeling conservation. More than 2,000 on-site solar panels produce 75% of the building’s electricity and power 181 electrical vehicle charging stations. The campus also revitalized a former EPA Superfund site and restored habitat along the Jordan River for pollinators, native animals, and the local community.
Photo: Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties, Utah

Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties

Zero Energy Ready Homes are so energy efficient that on-site rooftop solar can often supply all their annual energy needs. With help from Utah Clean Energy, Habitat for Humanity built two homes in Summit County to achieve Zero Energy Ready Home certification from the U.S. Department of Energy. This pilot project included custom training for builders and opens the door for more Zero Energy Ready construction across Utah.
Photo: Courtesy of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Utah Soil Health Partnership

Healthy soils store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also hold more moisture, cycle nutrients, promote biodiversity, and produce more food. The Utah Soil Health Partnership is conducting research in collaboration with farmers across the state to better understand what soil health practices work best in Utah. They also offer conferences, free soil assessments, and other tools to help farmers implement their own soil health plan.
Photo: Courtesy of Shreya Nathan

Navajo Power Home

Though the lands of the Navajo Nation have provided critical energy resources to the United States for generations, more than 15,000 Navajo homes aren’t able to connect to the electric grid. Navajo Power Home is a new company that brings electricity generated by solar panels to off-grid homes. Its solar service costs less and is more convenient than the gas-powered generators it replaces. Plus, it reduces carbon emissions.
Photo: Courtesy of Professor John D. Kelly, Weber State University

Weber State University Electric Vehicle Training Program

The only program of its kind in our region, this training equips service professionals with the skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving electrified transportation industry. After taking two online modules, participants gather for a five-day boot camp in a state-of-the-art shop at Weber State University to get experience working on a wide range of electric vehicles. Demand for the program is growing rapidly.
Photo: Courtesy of Salt Lake Barber Co.

Salt Lake Solar Leaders

Salt Lake Solar Leaders are creating pathways to affordable solar and battery systems for businesses in Salt Lake City’s Westside. A cohort of passionate business leaders has joined the program to enhance the health and resilience of their community. This work is a collaboration between Salt Lake City Sustainability, Utah Clean Energy, the Department of Energy, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, and American Express.
Photo: Courtesy of University of Utah Health

University of Utah Health Climate Resilience Plan

University of Utah Health recognizes that our community is experiencing the health impacts of climate change, especially in our children, older adults, and historically marginalized groups. For example, hotter days increase risk for heat stroke, while wildfires increase asthma attacks. U of U Health is informing patients, preparing its facilities, and educating its teams to build a resilient health care system for today and the future.
Photo: Courtesy of Waste Less Solutions

Waste Less Solutions

Over 600,000 tons of food goes to waste in Utah each year. Waste Less Solutions is working to keep that food out of landfills and get it to the 400,000 Utahns who are food insecure. Volunteers use an app to “rescue” leftover food from a wide range of food donors. Their work benefits the climate by reducing the emissions of methane—a gas 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat—from organic waste in landfills.
Photo: Courtesy of Heather Phipps, BYU Sustainability

Provo City Thousand Trees Initiative

Provo City is leveraging the power of trees to help keep its neighborhoods cool, lower energy usage, and improve residents’ health. Its Thousand Trees Initiative aims to make the many benefits of trees available across the city, especially in areas that haven't had funding for street trees. The program is part of the city’s broader efforts to create a more sustainable community that will keep Provo vibrant for future generations.

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Building Momentum

Ten years ago, renewable energy often felt out of reach. Look around Utah today and you'll see solar and wind projects being installed in many communities. These projects have many benefits for our everyday lives—improving air quality, lowering energy bills, creating new jobs—in addition to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions. With its abundant renewable energy resources and diversified economy, Utah is positioned to thrive in a clean energy future. We just need to keep the momentum going.

Rising to the Challenge

Utahns are Tackling Climate Challenges with Effective Solutions

Ten years ago, climate solutions often felt out of reach. Look around Utah today and you’ll find people implementing a broad range of effective solutions. The projects underway have many benefits for our everyday lives— lowering energy bills, improving air quality, creating new jobs—in addition to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change. With its abundant renewable energy resources and diversified economy, Utah is positioned to thrive in a low-carbon future. We just need to keep the momentum going.

A model of wind turbines and a solar farm.

The Switch Is On!

The future is electric.

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Maintenance workers stand at the top of a wind turbine.

Renewable Projects

Utah can be a renewable energy powerhouse.

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Protecting our Communities

Utahns Take Preparedness Seriously

While we can’t prevent some impacts of climate change in Utah—like dangerous heat waves and flash floods—we can take steps to protect people’s lives and resources. From creating cooling centers to better managing stormwater, many Utah communities are already taking action. Utah’s long tradition of planning ahead for emergencies can benefit us more than ever as we adapt to the changing climate.

Below you can explore a few of the ways communities can prepare.

Photo: Kirsten Roper, © NHMU

Green Spaces

When plants breathe, water evaporates from their leaves and cools the air—just like a swamp cooler. Trees also provide shade which prevents sidewalks and streets from trapping heat. Finding more places for water-wise plants and trees in our communities will keep us cooler.
Photo: Kirsten Roper, © NHMU

Cooling Centers

For people without air conditioning, escaping extreme heat can be a matter of life and death. Cooling centers are designated, air-conditioned, public buildings where people can seek refuge and stay hydrated. They can double as clean air refuges on smoky days.
Photo: Kirsten Roper, © NHMU

Shade Structures

Shade structures transform areas with intense sun and high temperatures into more comfortable places to walk, play, or rest. They help reduce night-time temperatures, too, by preventing surfaces from absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night.
Photo: © NHMU

Permeable Pavement

Permeable pavement reduces the chances of flooding after a heavy rain. Most paved surfaces channel water into a community’s stormwater system, which can be overwhelmed by an intense downpour. Permeable pavement is made of porous materials that allow water to seep into the ground instead.
Photo: Courtesy of Jörg Rügemer, Atelier Jörg Rügemer, Park City

Cool Roofs

Many roofs are made of dark materials that absorb heat on hot summer days. Cool roofs are made of light-colored materials that reflect heat instead. They help cool the air temperature, especially at night when dark roofs release the heat they absorbed all day. Cool roofs also lower air conditioning bills.
Photo: www.RiverRestoration.org

Flood Preparedness

With more frequent intense rainstorms, the risk of destructive floods is increasing. Carefully planning where to build homes and other structures, restoring urban rivers, installing innovative riverbank management systems, and creating strong emergency preparedness programs can save lives and protect property.