Recently, I was pleased to read the planned commencement address to UVU by Sharon McMahon. I regret that the graduating class was not allowed to hear this inspiring speech. She pointed out that in the winter of 1776, in his essay “The American Crisis,” Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the ti mes that try men’s souls.” His essay was published just before the crossing of the Delaware. She pointed out that in our retrospective view of history, we think that our victory in the Revolutionary War and other conflicts and trials was inevitable. It was not at that time. All was in doubt. On the environmental front, we are certainly in those trying times. The federal administration has created a regulatory environment favoring carbon-based fuels that pollute our air and water and speed global warming. Our state Legislature has followed the same course. We just experienced the warmest winter in Utah recorded history with record low snowpack. This endangers our environment and economy. A potentially dangerous fire season may be in the offing. The long-term effects of global warming are baked into our future. Winters like the one we just experienced will not come every year, but they will be more frequent.  But all is not lost. We can change and eventually halt the trajectory.  In 2019, Summit County was instrumental in obtaining passage by the Legislature of HB 411, creating the Community Renewable Energy Agency now known as Utah Renewable Communities — 19 cities and counties that have pledged to bring 100% carbon free electrical energy to the public. After an exhaustive seven-year regulatory process, we are at the final stage. The legislative bodies of the 19 communities must pass an enabling ordinance to allow Rocky Mountain Power to bring this electrical energy to each resident and business. Six of the 19 communities, including Summit County and Park City, have passed the enabling ordinance. Locally Coalville, Oakley and Francis must still do so by June 2. Some may say that our local contribution to fighting climate change and pollution is insignificant, but if we who have seen the negative effects of climate change will not do our part, who will? Call on the city councils of Coralville, Oakley and Francis to pass the enabling ordinances. A few more quotes from Sharon McMahon’s speech are pertinent: “A world you cannot fix alone is not the same thing as a world that does not need you.” “Every generation must answer the same question: What shall we contribute to the future? You do not get to choose the world you inherit, but you do get to choose what the world inherits from you.” Glenn Wright Park City The post All not lost appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less