As the summer heat continues to intensify in Salt Lake City, residents find themselves grappling with record-breaking temperatures that seem to rival those previously experienced in hotter climates like Phoenix.
Helena Huizenga, a local mother, initially thought that moving to Salt Lake City would mean escaping extreme heat. Yet, even in June, she and her young son, Lukas, are facing soaring temperatures by early morning.
“By the time we’re home, my hair sticks to my neck, and Lukas’s cheeks are red,” Huizenga shares, reflecting on their morning walks that are becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
This year, the average summer temperatures in Salt Lake City have climbed significantly.
Where average summer highs once lingered in the upper 80s, they now regularly reach into the 90s and even triple digits, marking a shift in the climate that pushes residents indoors for solace.
In cities across the globe, these heat crises are prevalent; temperatures exceeding 100°F have been recorded in the United Kingdom, affecting infrastructure, while Greece and China face dire conditions, with historic sites closed and rivers running dry across India.
As Huizenga returns to her air-conditioned home with Lukas, now alert and eager to play, she reflects on the changes.
“I lift him up, pressing my forehead to his, both of us still flushed. ‘It’s too hot, baby. Later, when the backyard’s in the shade,'” she tells him, conveying the increasing need for day-to-day adaptations in the face of an alarming climate trend.
But the reasons behind Salt Lake City’s alarming temperatures are rooted in broader global phenomena, driven primarily by climate change. Urban expansion, which includes the proliferation of heat-retaining roads and parking lots, is forming urban heat islands, raising local temperatures by about 8°F compared to surrounding rural areas.
Additionally, the ongoing shrinkage of the Great Salt Lake is exacerbating the situation, stripping away natural air regulation capabilities and putting local wildlife at risk.
In light of these challenges, however, Huizenga has found motivation to advocate for change. Joining local conservation groups, she has taken steps to ensure that future generations, including her son Lukas, experience cleaner air and more temperate summers.
“Lobbying always felt like something other people did; people who understand politics and are confident public speakers,” she admits.
In January, with the non-profit organization Grow the Flow, Huizenga took her first step into advocacy at the state Capitol, where the process proved to be much more accessible than she had anticipated.
“It’s not grand speeches or high-stakes debates,” she reflects. Instead, Huizenga’s lobbying consisted of straightforward conversations with legislators, providing her with a voice in the legislative process.
The environment of the Capitol, adorned with portraits of historical lawmakers, initially intimidated her. Still, she discovered that she only needed to be a concerned citizen seeking a better future for her child.
Huizenga focused her lobbying efforts on a series of bills aimed at preserving the Great Salt Lake’s water levels, emphasizing initiatives that would improve irrigation efficiency for farmers. By advocating for these measures, she aims to mitigate toxic dust exposure from the lakebed and enhance the region’s temperature stability.
“These policy changes are a critical step toward summers less extreme,” she explains, highlighting the importance of restoring the lake for both ecological and health benefits.
After a hot afternoon, when Lukas awakens from his nap, Huizenga reflects on the importance of fighting for a healthier future.
With renewed energy, Lukas dashes across the living room, a reminder of childhood vitality that persists despite challenges. For Huizenga, this determination translates into her commitment to advocate for environmental improvements.
Through her actions and advocacy, she embodies the increasingly urgent question: How hard will we fight against rising temperatures, and what legacies will we leave for the next generation?
The summer heat may be fierce, but the passion for change and resilience among residents like Huizenga remains unwavering as they strive to protect their environment and families from the ongoing impacts of climate change.
image source from：sltrib
