Imagine a world without speeding down a steep run, stomping a trick on to a groomed landing or shredding in waist deep powder. This world might be closer than you think. Skiing is now facing perhaps its biggest threat since its inception: Global Warming.
Many know of the phenomenon of global warming but who has actually though about the possible short-term damage? Nearly all skiers, snowboarders, sledders and other snow sports enthusiasts would be devastated if in the near future they could no longer do their favorite activities. Global warming is a relevant issue because so many people rely on snow for their recreation.
Reports by environmental experts have claimed that by the end of the century average winter temperatures in the Rocky Mountains will rise by seven degrees Fahrenheit 1. Even more astonishing is the fact that by 2039 more than half of ski resorts on the east coast will not be able to sustain snow for a 100 day season, making most of these resorts not economically feasible 1.
Closer to my home is Summit at Snoqualmie, the spot where I learned to ski and currently spend a lot of my winter. Recently a prediction was made that in 40 years skiing would not be possible there 2. The fact that in a lifetime Snoqualmie could range from getting an average snowfall of over 35 feet per year to not enough snow to ski on is crazy.
Despite these eye-opening statistics some still believe that global warming isn’t a big threat for skiing. There are still people who say, “Global warming is a lie.” People can believe whatever they want but there is a lot of information showing that skiing could be a thing of the past in the not so distant future.
With the threat of skiing potentially becoming extinct in our lifetimes, skiers might as well try to slow down this warming trend. Resorts like Whistler Blackcomb are doing their part by putting more energy back into the grid than they consume yearly via a hydroelectric system 3. Systems like this can help by reducing the potential pollution produced by other forms of generating power. As a result people can ski with a minimal impact on global warming.
1http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/us/climate-change-threatens-ski-industrys-livelihood.html?_r=0
2http://seattletimes.com/html/snowsports/2019948667_winter21m.html
3http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/environment/index.aspx
Many know of the phenomenon of global warming but who has actually though about the possible short-term damage? Nearly all skiers, snowboarders, sledders and other snow sports enthusiasts would be devastated if in the near future they could no longer do their favorite activities. Global warming is a relevant issue because so many people rely on snow for their recreation.
Reports by environmental experts have claimed that by the end of the century average winter temperatures in the Rocky Mountains will rise by seven degrees Fahrenheit 1. Even more astonishing is the fact that by 2039 more than half of ski resorts on the east coast will not be able to sustain snow for a 100 day season, making most of these resorts not economically feasible 1.
Closer to my home is Summit at Snoqualmie, the spot where I learned to ski and currently spend a lot of my winter. Recently a prediction was made that in 40 years skiing would not be possible there 2. The fact that in a lifetime Snoqualmie could range from getting an average snowfall of over 35 feet per year to not enough snow to ski on is crazy.
Despite these eye-opening statistics some still believe that global warming isn’t a big threat for skiing. There are still people who say, “Global warming is a lie.” People can believe whatever they want but there is a lot of information showing that skiing could be a thing of the past in the not so distant future.
With the threat of skiing potentially becoming extinct in our lifetimes, skiers might as well try to slow down this warming trend. Resorts like Whistler Blackcomb are doing their part by putting more energy back into the grid than they consume yearly via a hydroelectric system 3. Systems like this can help by reducing the potential pollution produced by other forms of generating power. As a result people can ski with a minimal impact on global warming.
1http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/us/climate-change-threatens-ski-industrys-livelihood.html?_r=0
2http://seattletimes.com/html/snowsports/2019948667_winter21m.html
3http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/environment/index.aspx
