Red Pine Lake | Kori Ann Kurtzeborn
Brian steed
In Utah, we are generational thinkers. When we look at our mountains, rivers, and valleys, we imagine the inheritance we will leave to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: landscapes that are healthy, prosperous, and vibrant. Yet planning outside of our own lifetimes can be difficult. Long-term visions must be grounded in nearer-term goals that keep us accountable and motivated. The 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City provides such a milestone. Just as the 2002 Olympics galvanized investment and innovation for a for a prior generation, the decade ahead gives us the opportunity to align our aspirations with tangible outcomes that will benefit Utah for the next century.
By setting environmental goals with 2034 in mind, Utah can prepare not only to welcome the world again but also to secure lasting gains for the people and places. Targets for cleaner air, reliable water supplies, a resilient Great Salt Lake, and healthy forests and rangelands are all within reach. Efforts to prevent and adapt to disasters-from wildfires to earthquakes-can similarly be accelerated with a clear timeframe. In this way, the Olympics become more than a sporting event; they can serve as a catalyst for generational stewardship, helping Utah take practical steps today that will echo into the future,
Map Created by Kori Ann Kurtzeborn, Data from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
