The Disappearance of Great Salt Lake w/ Laura Briefer

My guest for this episode is an expert in natural resources management, a woman who's been on the front lines of one of the most crucial environmental issues facing us today. She's a problem-solver and policymaker, but above all, an advocate for our planet's most precious resource: water.

Illustration by Jasmine Hortop.

Can Great Salt Lake survive us?

Laura Briefer, the Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities, has been working tirelessly to address the water crisis in Utah. She's been an integral figure in water policy for over two decades and has seen first-hand how the environment is shifting right in front of us. She is one of many stakeholders involved in preventing the disappearance of Great Salt Lake. A natural wonder that once stretched across nearly a quarter of the State of Utah (about 22,400 square miles), has been shrinking at an alarming rate.

As of 2021, Great Salt Lake now spans a mere 950 square miles, revealing more of the lake bed with each major drought. Lake beds contain a variety of heavy metals in the sediment that, when lake levels recede, dry out and form toxic dust.

These airborne dust particles not only affect human health, but also have devastating ecological implications. They can contaminate local ecosystems and have effects on air and water quality. Therefore, the issue of lake shrinkage is not only about the loss of water but also concerns the potential mobilization of hazardous substances that can impact both human health and the environment.

Through Laura's eyes, we'll explore what's happening to the Great Salt Lake, why it matters, and most importantly, what is being done about it. Laura Briefer brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for sustainability to this issue. We're thrilled to have her this episode of the Earth to Humans Podcast. We love to hear your feedback, so have a listen and let us know what you think about the show!