Global warming exists. You can debate 24/7 about what percentage is caused by us instead of natural climate cycles, but it exists. What is more, I’ve not read one convincing report or study that says GW can be reversed by humans in any practical sense (theoretically, yes, practically, no). Even slowing it down may be impossible due to politics and the overarching needs of humanity for things like food (modern farming is petrochemical).
What’s weird to me is the cognitive dissonance regarding global warming and the ski industry.
First, we get these breathless panting articles such as a recent one in Bloomberg that shouts “Declines in snowfall because of global warming are shortening the winter ski season in the U.S. and harming the economy, according to a report from two environmental groups.”
Is that stating the obvious, or what? The authors of that stuff need to put a paper bag over their heads, and breath deeply — first-aid for hyperventilation.
Then, regarding the same studies referenced above, we get this strange article in the Aspen Times.
On the surface, the Aspen article might not appear weird. It’s just the usual rant about the ski industry and whether they’re reducing greenhouse gasses and doing “enough.”
But look at it this way. Take Aspen Skiing Company. They’re going to be 100% sustainable sooner than later. But is that going to reduce global warming one millionth of a degree? Sorry. I wish our beloved sport could be so powerful. But no.
That’s where the cognitive dissonance comes in.
If ski resorts want to deal with global warming and continue skiing as we know it, they need to figure out where we can ski as the climate warms, and build or extend ski areas into those zones. Sure, if they want to play around with being “green,” more (or less) power to them. But really, when they’re all “green,” then what? Green grass instead of white snow will still be staring them in the face.
Sorry, but reality bites.
It’s just plain weird that we don’t see this being discussed more often. Really, reading this stuff for the past few years has been like listening to some kindergarten kids arguing about who stole the graham crackers — rather than which kid to get more from.
Your comments, Wildsnowers? Global warming exists, what are resorts supposed to do about it that’ll actually have an effect on keeping skiing alive?
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
