Greatest smog on earth | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I have worked in the ski industry for 12 years and have come to understand intimately why people come to Utah's mountains. They come for the variety of resorts and terrain and the convenience of a nearby major airport. They wish to enjoy a pristine mountain environment.

Last week, at the resort where I work, I had a conversation with guests who were visiting from California. They love Utah's skiing, but they said that through their world travels, Salt Lake had "by far the greatest smog on earth."

We know we have an air-quality problem and it's time for all of us to act. We can all make a positive impact: carpool, drive less, go car-free one day a month, plant more trees and don't idle our cars.

Additionally, we must urge our governor, as chairman of the Western Governors Association, to lobby other governors and the president to get U.S. automobile companies to make cars that run on a cleaner alternative to petroleum.

Please, everyone, pledge to act now, for the health of ourselves, our children and the quality of life in Utah.

Christie Babalis

Park City