Patrick, I'm still thinking about that powerful CBS Sunday Morning segment. How brilliant that the reporter knew the Lake. And that he connected with Romney, the biologist, and the guy who measured the toxic lake dust. The Lake's stark beauty was on display throughout the footage.
For anyone reading this thread, please take the 15 minutes or so to watch what Patrick shared.🌱
Patrick, the story on 'Sunday Morning' is well done. My story took a long time to publish because I kept fact-checking, really in disbelief that the Lake was in such a dire straits without a repair strategy.
The coverage 'Sunday Morning' presented is in line with most of what I found. They did leave out the dismal lack of action from the 2023 Utah State Legislature. I did the same because Matters of Kinship is more ecosystem focused. But I did watch the committee meeting in session when the 4198' lake level was under discussion. There was no sense of urgency. It was bizarre.
I am really glad you posted the video. Thank you again for sharing it with us. 🌱 Kath
I’m following a new turn in the story. Environmental groups are suing the Utah legislature for violating the rights of Great Salt Lake.
I will post that next month.
Rights of Nature is the single climate issue that gives me hope at the moment. In just two months, we’ve found substantial help organizing for the rights of our local river.🌱
Katherine, this piece is so eloquent and informative. Thank you!
Being in Vermont and not much of a traveler, I have not seen the Great Salt Lake. But her story of abuse and decline has me grieving for her. If I lived near the lake I suppose I would feel an even deeper grief - and anger and despair.
I read a book years ago (and I can't retire the title/author) that also said we need to move forward on climate change with the same level of commitment and sacrifice as we put forth in WW II. I have come across that analogy several times since.
Unfortunately, as a society, we seem to be too short sighted to see that the climate change and all the other environmental degradation and destruction is so much more of an exiistential threat than an invading army.
I live in Vermont which is a delightful bubble of environmental awareness. But when I visit other states, I leave feeling like we will never get to where we need to be.
Thank you for your comment. I hear you, loud and clear. I found the Great Salt Lake story so disheartening, Consequently and subsequently I joined an Eco-grief circle. Tonight I finished the last of 7 weeks. I learned that so many people are feeling what we are feeling. One of the most important lessons was that many people are being called to help with the ecological crisis; it is enough to do our small part. You would recognize some very capable Black Mountain counselors involved in this effort. The website is creationcarealliance.org. Thank you for your presence here. 🌱
Great article: direct and truthful! I lived in Tooele, Utah, for a year in 1969. Whenever I drove to Salt Lake or Park City from Tooele, I passed the lake. I merged onto the interstate at the Kennecott Copper Mine which was just across the interstate from the lake. I could smell the copper mine miles before and after I passed it, and the odor was sharp and painful, as if someone were shoving pencils up my nose. No precautions were being made to contain the chemicals released into the air, and I can imagine that nothing was done either to prevent poison from leaching into the groundwater or crossing under the interstate into the lake. I have not been back to Utah since then, but even if Kennecott were forced since then to ameliorate the effects of the copper mine, damage to the lake from years of abuse cannot be undone.
Stephanie, thank you for your contribution. I have been asked, often, how the toxins landed in the lake bed. Your eye witness account is critically helpful. So much of the footage of the Lake and the islands reflect raw beauty. But the mining companies and the runoff from agricultural pesticides seem far off in the distance. At least to one from east of the Mississippi.
Informative piece Katharine. I am fascinated by macrobialites and wonder if the inaction of ecological stake holders in preservation are preparing to sell out the lake to the oil industry. The degradation of the lake stirs up tremendous grief for the species it has long supported.
Taylor, thanks. I, too, am fascinated by macrobialites. Their ancient vitality invites more study.
What you wonder about~preparing to sell out the lake to the oil industry~has been hiding in the back of my mind. Thank you for bringing the issue forward. My guess is, as nefarious as the conduct has been, the efforts are disjointed. It's probably a better topic for an investigative journalist yet I would be copping out not to keep this on the radar.
Great article Kath. Did you see Sen. Romney on CBS Sunday Morning? https://youtu.be/_xVKCTQ4eBc
Patrick, I'm still thinking about that powerful CBS Sunday Morning segment. How brilliant that the reporter knew the Lake. And that he connected with Romney, the biologist, and the guy who measured the toxic lake dust. The Lake's stark beauty was on display throughout the footage.
For anyone reading this thread, please take the 15 minutes or so to watch what Patrick shared.🌱
Patrick, the story on 'Sunday Morning' is well done. My story took a long time to publish because I kept fact-checking, really in disbelief that the Lake was in such a dire straits without a repair strategy.
The coverage 'Sunday Morning' presented is in line with most of what I found. They did leave out the dismal lack of action from the 2023 Utah State Legislature. I did the same because Matters of Kinship is more ecosystem focused. But I did watch the committee meeting in session when the 4198' lake level was under discussion. There was no sense of urgency. It was bizarre.
I am really glad you posted the video. Thank you again for sharing it with us. 🌱 Kath
Patrick, I did not. Thank you for posting for everyone! I will watch tonight.🙏🏼
Just viewed this, thanks!
This is so crushing. Great writing Katherine, and it’s so very important to be a voice for these bodies that we are all a part of.
It is so crushing!
I’m following a new turn in the story. Environmental groups are suing the Utah legislature for violating the rights of Great Salt Lake.
I will post that next month.
Rights of Nature is the single climate issue that gives me hope at the moment. In just two months, we’ve found substantial help organizing for the rights of our local river.🌱
That’s amazing!
Katherine, this piece is so eloquent and informative. Thank you!
Being in Vermont and not much of a traveler, I have not seen the Great Salt Lake. But her story of abuse and decline has me grieving for her. If I lived near the lake I suppose I would feel an even deeper grief - and anger and despair.
I read a book years ago (and I can't retire the title/author) that also said we need to move forward on climate change with the same level of commitment and sacrifice as we put forth in WW II. I have come across that analogy several times since.
Unfortunately, as a society, we seem to be too short sighted to see that the climate change and all the other environmental degradation and destruction is so much more of an exiistential threat than an invading army.
I live in Vermont which is a delightful bubble of environmental awareness. But when I visit other states, I leave feeling like we will never get to where we need to be.
Dear Carol,
Thank you for your comment. I hear you, loud and clear. I found the Great Salt Lake story so disheartening, Consequently and subsequently I joined an Eco-grief circle. Tonight I finished the last of 7 weeks. I learned that so many people are feeling what we are feeling. One of the most important lessons was that many people are being called to help with the ecological crisis; it is enough to do our small part. You would recognize some very capable Black Mountain counselors involved in this effort. The website is creationcarealliance.org. Thank you for your presence here. 🌱
Great article: direct and truthful! I lived in Tooele, Utah, for a year in 1969. Whenever I drove to Salt Lake or Park City from Tooele, I passed the lake. I merged onto the interstate at the Kennecott Copper Mine which was just across the interstate from the lake. I could smell the copper mine miles before and after I passed it, and the odor was sharp and painful, as if someone were shoving pencils up my nose. No precautions were being made to contain the chemicals released into the air, and I can imagine that nothing was done either to prevent poison from leaching into the groundwater or crossing under the interstate into the lake. I have not been back to Utah since then, but even if Kennecott were forced since then to ameliorate the effects of the copper mine, damage to the lake from years of abuse cannot be undone.
Stephanie, thank you for your contribution. I have been asked, often, how the toxins landed in the lake bed. Your eye witness account is critically helpful. So much of the footage of the Lake and the islands reflect raw beauty. But the mining companies and the runoff from agricultural pesticides seem far off in the distance. At least to one from east of the Mississippi.
Thank you for your presence here.🌱
Informative piece Katharine. I am fascinated by macrobialites and wonder if the inaction of ecological stake holders in preservation are preparing to sell out the lake to the oil industry. The degradation of the lake stirs up tremendous grief for the species it has long supported.
I look forward to your follow-up.
Taylor, thanks. I, too, am fascinated by macrobialites. Their ancient vitality invites more study.
What you wonder about~preparing to sell out the lake to the oil industry~has been hiding in the back of my mind. Thank you for bringing the issue forward. My guess is, as nefarious as the conduct has been, the efforts are disjointed. It's probably a better topic for an investigative journalist yet I would be copping out not to keep this on the radar.
Thank you for reading and commenting!!