Nonetheless, the realism of these images is not directed toward social correction, but toward social awareness, with an appreciation of where we are in our well insulated lives... The human element at night resides as a shadow, within the shadows of the city. We are often provoked by questions, rather than comforted by answers. In profound silence the city is presented like a stage set, appropriately recorded in black and white.” - Gary Vann

Through this striking black and white photograph, Gary Vann illustrates the imminent threat that climate change poses to the Great Salt Lake, the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. This photograph depicts the once full lake depleted because of drought, water diversion, and overconsumption, exposing toxins in the soil such as arsenic. Vann’s use of black and white and high contrast create an eerie depiction of this devastation. Compounding the collapse of natural ecosystems are the social disparities that disproportionally expose children and low- income communities to worse air quality in the region.

The Great Salt Lake

Roughly the same area as 75 Manhattans, the Great Salt Lake in Utah is the largest body of water in the country besides the Great Lakes. As depicted in Gary Vann’s photograph, this beautiful landmark is shrinking to the lowest levels it’s been at in over a century. Since 1847, the volume of what in the lake has dropped nearly 50 percent. More recently, the change has been so dramatic, you can see it from space. In 2016, the Great Salt Lake reached its lowest levels in recorded history. Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh and his colleagues at Utah State University published research in 2017 that confirmed that human consumption, not seasonal fluctuations or even climate change, is primarily to blame for the lake's desiccation.

“Every time the wind blows, we’re subject to the dust from these dry lake beds being scattered all over,” said Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment. “There are residuals of pesticides and agricultural chemicals that migrated into the lake over many decades.”

The effects are extremely dangerous, primarily exposing the people and animals of Utah to toxic substances such as arsenic which are present in the now-uncovered soil. What’s even more devastating is the social disparities that are present in the affected population. A study by the University of Utah, found that children are more at-risk overall and furthermore, that "schools with predominately minority students were disproportionally exposed to worse air quality.” This study ultimately points to the urgent need for policies that protect school-aged children from environmental harm. The pollution issues in Utah and the disparities in who’s affected exemplify how climate change is not simply an environmental concern, but additionally one relating to social justice