Greener Skiing

Oli_jgb

Member
Hey Guys,
Obviously climate change is quite a serious issue for skiing, too much heat and all the snow goes!
So for my university degree I decided to do an assignment on sustainability of the ski industry in terms of global warming and climate change.
Take a look at this short 8 question questionnaire and answer it - it should take literally no more than 5 minutes at most
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gQhhqZ04MDLfyT2VOk5XLg_3d_3d

+ Karma if you complete it, just post saying done and i'll plus karma you!
Cheers
 
Sweet cheers!
Feel free to post your own opinions on climate change in the ski industry on here too, will be interested to hear everyone's thoughts ^ +K
 
plus I will post the results which could be interesting once the survey has enough responses
Thanks again to anyone who does it!
 
done, yeah buddy! good little survey, the ski industry needs to start taking everything we do into account to keep our kids skiing in the future!
 
Ok so bumped all you guys up to 10 karma, got 22 responses so far, but could do with a few more. Is real interesting to read though.
One response was saying that ski manufacturers should do nothing for climate change because it's a natural cycle.
Its an interesting argument and one that I always used to believe in however I did a bit of research, and apparently we have already brought that cycle forward by roughly 7,000 years and in the space of 200 years could bring ourselves to a premature ice age. (N.B. Ice age might sound awesome, but you need food to ski, around 99.99% of the world's population would die)
Also some scientists predict that by 2020, the scarcity of food due to drought will be such that nuclear war will break out and destroy the world before the natural process has a chance. 2020...that is within all of our lifetimes...
Personally I think the gapers will go first...
 
not trying to start an argument but

little evidence points to a stop of the glacial-interglacial cycle of the last million years.

Technically we are still in an ice age in what is called an interglacial period.

The end of the last glacial period was about 12,500 years ago, while The maximum extent of glaciation was approximately 18,000 years ago.

Quaternary glaciation, also known as the Pleistocene glaciation, the current ice age or simply the ice age, refers to the period of the last few million years.

Now I do believe that we can and do have an impact on the environment around us

I just feel that issues such as the deforestation of the rainforest, the over harvesting of fish for food, or the pollution of ground and surface water from the release of chemicals are far more important and pressing issues than the release of CO2.

Now I know as humans it is only natural to extend some feeling of control to the world around us. we have been doing it for all of recorded history. when the earth would shake and volcanoes erupt, the storms crash, and the crops die. The people would seek answers and understanding the Greeks attributed to the gods and trying to regain some sense control over their destiny's they would pray and build temples and make sacrifices. lets face it the thought of the world being an enormously chaotic rock flying threw space, over which we have no control of anything is a scary thought to address especially for society as a hole. Now we think of the Greeks beliefs and notions of the world as silly and outdated and see them for what they are an effort to give themselves a feeling of control and safety. now I am not going to say that everything everyone says about climate change is false, it just drives me nuts when people say things like "we have already brought that cycle forward by roughly 7,000 years and in the space of 200 years". you don't know that shit nobody does. we cant even make a reasonable guess at what the weather will be like next year let alone the next 7,000.

now before everyone starts tearing me a new one and telling me what I believe let me just out line it for you

1. I do believe the Earth is warming

2. I do believe that natural process account for most of it

3. I don't deny that we are having an affect on the climate, and I do feel much more research needs to be conducted and put forth on this topic

4. I don't believe any climate model put forth by either side with any amount of certainty

5. I do believe the popularity of the Global Warming concept is do to the tendency of people to grasp on to ideas that give them a sense of understanding, control, and responsibility over things that are actually well out of there realm of understanding, control, and responsibility. (think why a child blames himself for a parents divorce)
 
Bumper Cars - some really interesting responses.
Ridiculous survey system prevents me from sharing results but I can tell you some of them:
60% Say climate change is definitely a threat16.7% Say probably
24.1% Definitely buy skis with green policy38.9% Say probably
nearly 90% of you travel to ski resort by car (not surprising in the us I guess)
50% of you ski 10+ weeks a year (lucky f*ckers)
You were right (well 33.3% of you were) 25% of the worlds co2 emissions come from the usa,the typical USA citizen produces 5x the world average of CO2 emissions.
42.6% say organizations DEFINITELY in the ski industry have a moral/ethical responsibility to climate change33.3% Say probably

What the ski industry SHOULD DO
1.source energy for their factories from green sources Fri, 2/27/09 10:33 AM
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2.make less harmful emission when producing products Fri, 2/27/09 2:17 AM
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3.i just want them to preform well. Fri, 2/27/09 2:14 AM
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4.Use environmental products in gear Support anti-climate change/green organizations Fundraise for these organizations Plant Trees Act responsibly Fri, 2/27/09 2:13 AM
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5.Give some sort of the procedes to some sort of organization thats trying to help. Fri, 2/27/09 2:12 AM
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6.make skiis with recycled products Fri, 2/27/09 2:11 AM
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7.donate to environmental causes or have more sustainable practices Fri, 2/27/09 2:09 AM
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8.use more sustainable technology to run their businesses Fri, 2/27/09 2:09 AM
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9.I dont know Fri, 2/27/09 2:08 AM
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10.make their skis in the goddamn united state of america instead of china Fri, 2/27/09 2:08 AM
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11.recyclable/recycled/biodegradable materials Fri, 2/27/09 2:07 AM
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12.offer some sort of ski recycling. Fri, 2/27/09 2:06 AM
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13.use more bamboo and soy products like soy epoxy and in the future use bamboo fiberglass when its fully developed. more bamboo fiber clothing. ultimately use less materials and cut down on waste. try and get production out of china. try growing bamboo in north america with hydroponics and greenhouses. (no need for chemicals) Fri, 2/27/09 2:03 AM
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14.get rid of gapers!!! Fri, 2/27/09 2:01 AM
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15.Promote incentive for research into greener alternatives (especially transportation related). Fri, 2/27/09 1:53 AM
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16.Use renewable energy to power lifts, use recycled materials for buildings/rails, build jumps/pipes out of dirt in the summer to conserve snow, arrange buses for public transportation. Fri, 2/27/09 1:53 AM
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17.For each 100 pair of skis sold plant a tree, and recycle products. Fri, 2/27/09 1:49 AM
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18.Nothing climate change is an inevitable and unyielding force of nature. Fri, 2/27/09 1:48 AM
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19.Promote carpooling. Fri, 2/27/09 1:47 AM
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20.Wind power and other 100% clean energies Fri, 2/27/09 1:41 AM
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21.use greener, but stronger materials in skis/ski equipment Fri, 2/27/09 1:36 AM
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22.Reduce the price of "green" products Fri, 2/27/09 1:09 AM
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23.jlgj Fri, 2/27/09 12:34 AM
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24.higher amounts of renewable energy sources in resorts e.g wind turbines at the top of peaks, solar panels Thu, 2/26/09 11:40 PM
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25.recycle? Thu, 2/26/09 11:39 PM
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26."Green" skis Thu, 2/26/09 11:38 PM
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27.Convert all power usage to come from wind/solar Thu, 2/26/09 11:30 PM
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28.In the process of cutting wood, they shouldn't waste any wood. Thu, 2/26/09 11:25 PM
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29.Promote integrated 'zero carbon' resorts. See BREEAM or American LEED accreditation. Its the lifts and infrastructure that use energy. Not equipment. Thu, 2/26/09 11:24 PM
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30.Cut down on waste Thu, 2/26/09 11:16 PM
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31.Stop printing ski passes on plastic/paper/gold and insert a little chip into each and every individual in the world that you just top up to ski with. Thu, 2/26/09 10:23 PM
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32.They buy wind credits for sure, but I think they could move to more PhotoVoltaic Energy (Solar Panels) Thu, 2/26/09 9:56 PM
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33.Nothing, its a natural cycle Thu, 2/26/09 8:14 PM
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34.contests promoting low carbon footprint Thu, 2/26/09 8:09 PM
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35.there are too many possibilities that can be done. Thu, 2/26/09 8:07 PM
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36.Stop flying their reps around to test equipment. Localize it. Thu, 2/26/09 8:01 PM
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37.less heliskiing Thu, 2/26/09 8:00 PM
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38.sponsor me? Thu, 2/26/09 7:56 PM
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39.Ski areas should use as much wind, solar, and other alternative kinds of power that are readily available at their resorts Thu, 2/26/09 7:55 PM
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40.Cleaner power generation to operate resorts. Thu, 2/26/09 7:51 PM
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41.Not produce skis in CHINA! Thu, 2/26/09 7:51 PM
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42.build a bubble around ski areas Thu, 2/26/09 7:50 PM
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43.less plastic in topsheets/sidewalls. less waste produced Thu, 2/26/09 7:46 PM
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44.I believe climate change is a falocy generated by our government Thu, 2/26/09 7:43 PM
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45.provide awarness to everybody and take charge in it Thu, 2/26/09 7:32 PM
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46.partner with eco-minded non profit organizations to build awareness Thu, 2/26/09 7:21 PM
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47.o_O Thu, 2/26/09 7:13 PM
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48.at least be Carbon Neutral, whether through tree planting, carbon credits, renewable resources, etc Thu, 2/26/09 6:59 PM
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49.- improve methods of snowmaking (having to use less amounts of water) Thu, 2/26/09 6:56 PM
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50.take into account all aspects of greeining a business Thu, 2/26/09 6:47 PM
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51.develop better ways to transport items, and better advertising for such items that require showing. Thu, 2/26/09 6:45 PM
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52.recycled products clean energy Thu, 2/26/09 6:39 PM
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53.GO GREEN!, instead of using wood cores, find a composite material that resembels it Thu, 2/26/09 6:37 PM
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54.plant trees, green factories and materials, ski recycling program Thu, 2/26/09 6:31 PM

 
What the Ski industry IS CURRENTLY DOING for climate change

1.liberty - bamboo in their skis Fri, 2/27/09 10:33 AM
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2.some companies are not outsourcing Fri, 2/27/09 2:17 AM
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3.NS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Fri, 2/27/09 2:14 AM
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4.For each hat sold Rime Knits plants a tree Fri, 2/27/09 2:13 AM
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5.Rime Knits is planting trees for every product they sell... Fri, 2/27/09 2:12 AM
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6.sorry, no answer Fri, 2/27/09 2:11 AM
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7.aspen uses some solar power Fri, 2/27/09 2:09 AM
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8.faction skis and lib tech uses sustainable materials (supposedly) to build their skis and snowboards Fri, 2/27/09 2:09 AM
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9.ehh? Fri, 2/27/09 2:08 AM
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10.atomic is making a green boot for 09/10. its dope. Fri, 2/27/09 2:08 AM
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11.recyclable/recycled/biodegradable materials Fri, 2/27/09 2:07 AM
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12.using bamboo cores Fri, 2/27/09 2:06 AM
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13.rime knits planting trees. lines afterbang using less wood. Fri, 2/27/09 2:03 AM
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14.lib tech is green and line is goin to be Fri, 2/27/09 2:01 AM
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15.Not much Fri, 2/27/09 1:53 AM
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16.Some resorts are doing the things above Fri, 2/27/09 1:53 AM
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17.I know that Head Skis is planting tree's and Paul Mitchell hair products are helping with global warming as well. Fri, 2/27/09 1:49 AM
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18.PCMR is only using "green" electricity Fri, 2/27/09 1:48 AM
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19.Surface has a new green awareness ski next year. Fri, 2/27/09 1:47 AM
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20.Wind power, solar power, cleaner fuels, some ski products are made in greener ways Fri, 2/27/09 1:41 AM
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21.My mountain reuses heat from (I think) generators, and pumps and such to heat the buildings Fri, 2/27/09 1:36 AM
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22.Some ski/snowboard brands have green production methods Fri, 2/27/09 1:09 AM
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23.jhgdf; Fri, 2/27/09 12:34 AM
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24.carbon offset programs with travel company's Thu, 2/26/09 11:40 PM
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25.using less manmade materials Thu, 2/26/09 11:39 PM
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26.nothing to my knowledge Thu, 2/26/09 11:38 PM
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27.recycling? Thu, 2/26/09 11:30 PM
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28.Line skis, uses green methods to build a new model called the Afterbang. They are careful in not wasting to much wood in the cutting process. Thu, 2/26/09 11:25 PM
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29.I have heard of absolutely nothing significant. Thu, 2/26/09 11:24 PM
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30.Using Renewable resources and wind power Thu, 2/26/09 11:16 PM
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31.Liberty skis... 100% wind-powered. Now that's pretty cool. Thu, 2/26/09 10:23 PM
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32.Buying Wind Energy Credits Thu, 2/26/09 9:56 PM
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33.who knows... Thu, 2/26/09 8:14 PM
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34.bamboo skis Thu, 2/26/09 8:09 PM
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35.Armada has that green thing and a few companies recycle old skis. some places have solar powered lifts Thu, 2/26/09 8:07 PM
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36.Different production methods for cores. Thu, 2/26/09 8:01 PM
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37.using bamboo coores and recycled materials in gear Thu, 2/26/09 8:00 PM
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38.using bamboo Thu, 2/26/09 7:56 PM
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39.Jiminy Peak (i think) is using wind power Thu, 2/26/09 7:55 PM
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40.DONT KNOW Thu, 2/26/09 7:51 PM
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41.Not much,most dont have a care in the world to combat climate change. As long as they sell their product. Thu, 2/26/09 7:51 PM
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42.recycle? Thu, 2/26/09 7:50 PM
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43.less topsheet/sidewall plastic Thu, 2/26/09 7:46 PM
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44.ARMADA uses forestry certifed wood... im not a hippie but I appreciate the responsible foresting Thu, 2/26/09 7:43 PM
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45.i havent heard of anything yet Thu, 2/26/09 7:32 PM
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46.Aspen Ski Co. - utilizing alternative energy and offsetting carbon emissions Thu, 2/26/09 7:21 PM
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47.dunno :/ Thu, 2/26/09 7:13 PM
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48.Rime*knits; planting trees for every hat to reduce carbon footprint Thu, 2/26/09 6:59 PM
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49.- Thu, 2/26/09 6:56 PM
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50.wind powerd lifts Thu, 2/26/09 6:47 PM
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51.Uhm...I'd like to say alot, however we are more concerned with people who are down and out of the game as a pose to how to keep the game going strong in the future. Thu, 2/26/09 6:45 PM
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52.wind energy wood products Thu, 2/26/09 6:39 PM
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53.I am not sure Thu, 2/26/09 6:37 PM
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54.RIME knits plants a tree for every hat they sell Thu, 2/26/09 6:31 PM

 
Hey Oli, is this for personal things or Uni things?
It's quite intersting to see that most of us have at least an idea that shit ain't good.
 
err I'd say it was a combination of both, so combining my interests with my uni degree means a) Assignments are more enjoyableb) I have an excuse to be on NS when I should be workingc) I will hopefully get a better mark!

Continued plus karma as before :-)
 
"Support anti-climate change/green organizations" that doesn't make sense. the whole anti-climate change thing. we aren't fighting climate change. we have to adapt to the changing climate and consume smarter.

There is no global warming problem, there is a people problem.
 
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