Opinion: Utah needs to stop prioritizing economic growth over its own people

Utah is a desert state. Local weather and climate go in cycles. Homes devour extra water than sagebrush. Asphalt doesn’t develop meals, fiber or fodder.

For many years, Utah leaders have promoted financial growth. That want is lengthy gone. Now we have Silicon Slopes, the inland port, company places of work and nationwide headquarters for a lot of firms. And, as a result of in-migration, a housing scarcity: Utah inhabitants has grown by 8.4% in 10 years. Primarily based on the 2020 census, practically 40% of Utah residents are born outdoors Utah. We’re hitting the bounds of progress our desert state can maintain.

Some say an excessive amount of water is consumed by farming. However the place can we get our meals? It takes cattle, land and water. Can we get all of it out of state? What concerning the environmental value of hauling all that meals?

It’s time we cease selling and supporting — with Utah taxes — financial progress. We don’t want extra companies transferring in. Utah’s Division of Pure Sources reviews that every Utahn makes use of 242 gallons of water per day. In distinction, sagebrush wants solely what nature gives.

Our leaders have to cease selling Utah to companies, cease encouraging city progress and say no to land builders.

Steven Jones

Nephi