A group of Utah high school students have succeeded in their push to get their governor to sign a resolution acknowledging the role of fossil fuel consumption in climate change.
Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed the House Concurrent Resolution 7, which encourages the responsible use of natural resources and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, after hundreds of students across the state advocated for the bill.
Seven students behind the measure met with Herbert on Wednesday for a ceremonial signing after his official approval in March, as reported by Utah’s Standard-Examiner.
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The bill, sponsored by Utah state Rep. Rebecca Edwards (R), commits the legislature to “prioritize our understanding and use of sound science to address causes of a changing climate and support innovation and environmental stewardship in order to realize positive solutions” and calls on the governor to direct state agencies and corporations to reduce emissions.
“The main message of the resolution is that economic viability and environmental stewardship aren’t different things,” West High School junior Mishka Banuri told the Standard-Examiner. “Obviously not everyone in the legislature believes climate change is human-caused or even real … but what we did is start a conversation around it, which is how change is made.”