Letter: Air problems impact quality of life for all Utahns

Keeping Utah a great place to work and raise a family is critical when it comes to attracting Hispanic and Latino businesses. This is yet another reason why we need to address our air quality and climate problems. Air pollution, water scarcity and excessive heat are taking their toll on Utah’s quality of life. If left unchecked, these trends will discourage Hispanics and Latinos from putting down roots or staying here to raise their families, with implications for Utah’s economic future. Increasingly, Hispanics and Latinos are job creators in Utah. As Hispanic businesses have prospered, so has the buying power of Utah’s largest minority group. Hispanic households buy all sorts of goods and services, helping small businesses across our state’s economy.

It’s time to act to preserve our quality of life for Hispanic Utahns, and all Utahns. That’s why the Utah American Latino Chamber of Commerce, representing nearly 700 Hispanic and Latino businesses, has joined community and businesses leaders throughout the state in embracing a climate solution known as the Baker-Shultz Carbon Dividends Plan. This solution offers a business-friendly way to cut U.S. carbon emissions in half by 2035. It replaces onerous carbon regulations with a carbon fee, freeing up businesses to find their own ways to reduce emissions. And it cycles revenues from the fee back to households, raising incomes for the vast majority of families.

Utah’s Hispanic business community supports the Baker-Shultz plan because it’s a surefire way to keep our economy strong as we preserve Utah’s exceptional quality of life. We hope all Utahns will consider the advantages of this commonsense solution.

— Mitchel Garsz, President/CEO Utah’s American Latino Chamber of Commerce, Ogden