The University of Utah has announced a $20 million gift from Marie and Clay Wilkes and their Red Crow Foundation.

The gift will be used to establish the interdisciplinary Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, which will promote research, study effective public policies, and propose entrepreneurial business solutions to curb and combat the threats that climate change poses to human and environmental health. According to the university, Utah, because of its geography and ecology, is a living laboratory for the deleterious impacts of climate change and the potential for innovative solutions. For instance, the mountains around Salt Lake City, which create a bowl that can concentrate air pollution and particulates from even far-away wildfires, are plagued by dying forests. The Great Salt Lake is rapidly drying, allowing the wind to scatter potentially hazardous dust. The state’s farmers and residents are experiencing water scarcity from the ongoing mega-drought in the Southwest that is being fueled by climate change. And all of these are symptoms of the global issues linked to climate change.

“Climate change is one of two or three issues that are absolutely critical to humanity,” Wilkes said. “As I consider the difference I can make for my grandchildren and so many other generations that follow, there is no more important cause. Because of the state’s unique geography, every facet of the environment impacts Utah. Our ability to address these urgent and immediate problems, locally and internationally, will serve as a model for governments and communities throughout the world. With this new center, the University of Utah is leading by example, and we challenge every other university within the state and beyond to do likewise.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/strickke)