The Election’s Impact on Our Communities & Environment

To our HEAL Utah family

We continue to absorb the results of the 2024 election and its implications for our communities, our health, and our environment. The divides in our country have been starkly highlighted and the fragility of our bedrock environmental laws and institutions, as well as the recent progress made on climate and health protections, are far too clear.  

This is a critical moment. We have been here before, but the stakes are even higher now than they were eight years back. With limited time to make substantive changes to avoid the worst effects of climate change and to protect our most vulnerable communities, we must remain focused on our vision of a thriving future: one in which the Great Salt Lake is revived, where clean, sustainable, and equitable energy systems serve the people who rely on them, and where all people might live to their fullest potential because the right to a healthy environment is understood and met as a basic human right.  

For all of you feeling fearful, angry, and disheartened, please know that you are not alone. A community of shared purpose surrounds you, and we at HEAL are fully committed to the work ahead. We encourage you to take a moment to breathe, reflect and even mourn if needed.  

But then, we will be gathering ourselves, coming together, and working every day for our vision of the future. This will mean sound, strategic, and durable policy to create evidence-based, community-focused solutions for climate change, air quality, and radioactive and toxic exposure.  We will continue to defend our communities and ensure that they are not sacrificed for profit; instead striving for measurable progress at local and state levels, even when roadblocks arise at the federal level.

HEAL will be with you every step of the way, building a movement and fostering a community of shared values that transcends political divides and is committed to a healthier future for our environment and the people within it. 

Here to support you,

HEAL Utah 

Lexi Tuddenham, Executive Director 

Crista Casper, Development Director 

Carmen ValDez, Senior Policy Associate 

Katie Balakar, Senior Policy Associate  

Jake Erickson, Communication Manager

Jordan Stein, Office & Operations Manager 

Kaile Akina, Community Engagement Manager