Utah Student Leaders Urge Action on Carbon Dividends
Student government presidents from colleges and universities across Utah are calling on Congressional leaders to act on climate change and support the bipartisan solution known as carbon dividends. In a letter sent to Utah’s Congressional leaders, ten Utah student body presidents—who represent more than 180,000 Utah students—called for lawmakers to recognize and respond to the urgency of the climate challenge and champion solutions that both protect the environment and strengthen the economy.
“With so much at stake for our generation, it’s time for our elected leaders to forge consensus around solutions that both parties can support,” the letter said. “That’s why we believe in the cornerstone solution known as carbon dividends.”
Ten Utah student body presidents signed the letter, which was coordinated in partnership with S4CD. This includes the following 2020-21 student government leaders:
Utah State University — Sami Ahmed
University of Utah — Ephraim Kum
Utah State University Eastern — Sione Siaki
Utah Valley University — Danielle Corbet
Weber State University — Benjamin Ferney
Westminster College — Obaid Barakzai
Salt Lake Community College — Emily Hernandez
Snow College — Matthew Griffin
Southern Utah University — Nouman Kante
Brigham Young University — Spring Cullen
Carbon dividends is an ambitious, bipartisan solution to climate change that would establish a carbon price to spur clean energy innovation and drive emissions reductions. The plan advanced by James A. Baker III and the late George P. Shultz would cut U.S. CO2 emissions in half by 2035. The revenue would be returned to the American public in quarterly checks, with a family of four receiving around $2,000 per year. In addition, redundant regulations would be phased out, and a border carbon adjustment would be established to protect the competitiveness of the US economy. This carbon dividends framework has garnered the support of more than 3,500 leading economists across the country, including many from Utah.
“We are grateful for Utah’s natural beauty and resources. I hope our leaders will be wise environmental stewards by caring for our planet and preserving it for future generations,” said Nouman Kante, student body president of Southern Utah University.
“We have been proud to see our Congressional leaders, like Senator Mitt Romney, highlight the importance of climate change to our country’s security and prosperity,” said Danielle Corbet, student body president of Utah Valley University. “Now is the time to coalesce around a concrete plan that will get the job done.”
In stepping forward to support carbon dividends, these student body presidents join 400 fellow student government leaders nationwide who have signed the Student Government Leaders’ Statement on Carbon Dividends, launched by S4CD over the summer. Collectively, this represents the largest declaration of student government presidents in US history—all in support of the carbon dividends solution.
As the new letter summarizes: “For Utah, this plan offers a way to safeguard our pristine landscapes, protect our natural resources and position our clean tech industry to thrive. But most important, it will preserve our way of life for our children and grandchildren.”
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The Daily Herald: Student body presidents urge Utah’s federal lawmakers to support carbon dividends plan
The Standard-Examiner: Student body presidents urge Utah’s federal lawmakers to support carbon dividends plan
Utah State University Today: USUSA president Sami Ahmed talks carbon dividends
Utah Policy: Ten Utah student body presidents endorse carbon dividends climate plan