At the game we look forward to all year, the Cougars and the Utes, the rivalry was there for all to see. In the midst of this rivalry, there was cooperation, a collaboration of University of Utah and Brigham Young University students tackling climate change.

Before the game, the mountainside U was lit up in purple, a blending of blue and red. BYU and Utah students holding purple flashlights with rechargeable batteries reminded us that finding common ground is essential to creating the roadmap for tackling climate change.

In a time of intense political rivalries in our nation, the students at these two universities are working together for a low-carbon future, finding bridges to climate solutions. They believe we can create safer and more resilient communities if we work together to rethink the way we produce energy and therefore lessen the effects of a warming climate.

We can't afford to make climate change a wedge issue. Let’s stand together with these students who will be most affected by damage to the climate. Congress, these students and our Earth need our voices. Ask your representatives to create bridges, to create a bipartisan national policy that places a fee on carbon.

Go purple!